I Need a Break!

As I write this article, I can't help but think of basketball. It's everywhere! March Madness is in full effect, the NBA regular season ends one month from today, only to roll into play-offs, and I can't help but think about career in the midst of it all. I noticed the shoulders of Dwight Howard today. He plays for the Orlando Magic, is 6 feet 11 inches tall, and has broad shoulders (36 inches to be exact). As I caught a glimpse of the center for the Magic, I thought about the weight he could possibly carry on his 3-foot shoulders. A tremendous load is probably an understatement for Mr. Howard, but I am then reminded that we sometimes carry weight unnecessarily in the workplace. It would be ideal if you could simply report to work, know what is expected of you, get along with others, make more money, and get promoted. Unfortunately, this isn't always the reality. The workplace can bring more demands for less money, additional responsibility that is often unexpected, and no room for growth. What is an employee to do??

As an employee, you have to know yourself. This means that you have to know your strengths, your areas of opportunity, your goals, and your limitations. Organizations are downsizing, so you may want to ask yourself why an employer would want to keep you. Sure you do your job, yes you are good at what you do, but when 50 other people can say the same, there could be an opportunity for you to grow. This is where knowing your strengths and areas of opportunity will give you a competitive advantage. Your big break awaits you in the form of more money and possibly promotion, but it's hard to seize the moment when you can't recognize it. Knowing yourself and your goals will allow you to make decisions that ultimately take you one step closer to achieving your ultimate career goal.

As an employee, you must have balance between your personal life and your career. If you are working and can't say that you have time to enjoy yourself outside of work, you may want to evaluate your priorities. Work is necessary and many of us work because we have to, not because we want to. Perhaps taking an inventory of your time will help you identify what needs to be adjusted and you may need to rest. Don't be afraid to take a break every now and again to reflect, relax, and re-evaluate your life. You would be surprised to find the difference in your personal life and your performance at work when both aspects are balanced.