from the Blog

It’s been a grueling week – it’s Friday afternoon and half of the team has cut out early – you are still at the office trying to wrap up something that you started on Tuesday – Tuesday, two weeks ago.

Sound familiar . . . ?

It’s not coming together – the phone rings, and of course you have to answer it because you are the only one left (you know – that knows how to answer before the 27th ring – sarcasm).

Definitely sounding familiar . . . ?

The project must get done by Monday. Every positive step forward is met with three steps backward and you are thinking that the only solution is a weekend in the office – of course, by yourself.

Am I starting to describe your life . . . ?

A client calls (one of the good ones) – with the potential to be a great conversation, but you are so out of sorts that you are despondent on the phone. Yes, body language does transmit through the phone. A coworker stops by the office to wish you well before the weekend and you barely look up, not even a good grunt. Your spouse calls . . . . oh, and your teenage son . . .

Could this be you story . . . ?

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So the above is (mostly) a true story and one that most of us can identify with.

There are a lot of things that may be behind the situation described — lack of team support, project overload, a bad project, delegation issues, the list goes on — all things that probably should be re-evaluated and addressed for the health and productivity of the team.

This story though — it’s about you. It’s about staying positive even when things are not going well. Sometimes this means putting your game face on, your confident face, your happy face. The client who called – wasn’t their fault – they deserved your best. The co-worker who was exchanging pleasantries – wasn’t their fault – they deserved better. It’s amazing how much better the conversation goes when you pick up the phone, stand up, and smile. Be respectful of the person that drops by your office. It’s ok to say that you are busy, but be nice.

• You can never let up. 
• You must push through adversity. 
• You must stay upbeat, throw on a smile and add a positive tone. 

This isn’t just a Friday thing – it also works on the other days ending in ‘y’.

. . . go have an Awesome Week!