Simplify your career
By Monica Taiwo- updated: Thursday 25-06-2009
 LIKE many other green horns, at the start of your career, you must have gone in with the vigour of a man who is determined to get to the peak of his career, come what may, because the career was a dream-come-true.
Just a blink of your eyes you found yourself in another phase of your career.
Now, it is not just a dream-come-true but a weighty one because your career, like many other careers, has become more complicated than it was.
Sometimes you wonder where it will end and if you will live a simple life, with or without your career.
The truth is that living on this planet is becoming more complicated. It is left to you to determine the kind of life you wish to live. But here are far better ways to live an uncomplicated life in the country.
Stop playing Mr. good boy know-all
It is always cool when you are the one your colleagues turn to for help, but if you don’t watch it, you will end up doing other persons’ work and what about yours?
“I discovered that because I was the computer wizard in my office, others always called on me when they had problems with their systems,”says Tayo Odulana, who works in an insurance company.
“Ï loved it; I mean I used to feel honoured that my colleagues recognised my high proficiency in computer operations but I had to put a stop to it, because I would end up working very late to get my own work done after others had long gone home to rest. Suffice it to say that my wife threatened to leave me if I don’t stop all these late-stay business. You also need to think about what this could do to your health. Stay within your boundaries and your work becomes simpler.”
Use your resources.
If you have not done so already, train your assistants to screen, sort and schedule your calls and mails and run interference of unsheduled interruptions. Don’t feel sorry for them; they applied for the job.
And if you are one of those who do not delegate authority, you believe you alone can do your job best, all you need do is to break-down and you will discover that there are one thousand and one people who can do it even better than you.
Enjoy interactive methods
Sometimes, I either solicit people to interfere with my work or allow them hang-out in my office,” says Falu Daniels, a manager in a construction firm. “When possible, I leave my office to have conversations in other offices and leave when the time is right. All these help me to ease off when my work is choking me up. I don’t want to get to the peak of my career and forget how to relate with people”.
Socialising should be an integral part of your career; it unwinds some complications and makes you realise you are not alone in weathering through career complications.
Imagine the emptiness you will feel if all your life is centred on your life. Tough and boring!
Repel office intruders
Office intruders are really a pain in the neck; they have a penchant for interfering when you are most busy. Like it or not, you have to stick up with them and the complications they bring to your already complicated job. So, how do you deal with such people?
Try this; pick up the phone while they are talking and start dialing. Continue with your work, chipping in one or two things at intervals. Even if they don’t get the hint and leave, your work is progressing and you will be sure you will at the right time.
Steer clear of trouble. It saves a lot of trouble in the long run. So, watch out for the following:
Don’t attempt to out drink others at the office party.
Watch out for loose talks in the office. You never know who is the chairman’s informant.
Never put a heated thought into a memo or leave it on voice mail or e-mail.
Write down your angry thoughts to get rid of the momentary frustration; then sit tight and later modify them for public consumption.
Don’t slap who you can fire or who can fire you.
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