energy | Journey

T.E.A.M. What Does It Really Mean?

By Job Journey on Wednesday, February 8, 2017

For most workers in the professional world, working in a group setting is the norm and being on your own is unlikely. That means you need to have the skills to be both productive and efficient on a team. But what are the specific skills and attitudes that make someone successful in this common workplace dynamic?

Trust

If you’re new to working as part of a team, there are several things you can do to contribute to the success of the team while building trust.

So how can you start building trust with your new teammates? According to an article from Monster, increasing trust includes avoiding language that focuses on “me” instead of “we,” communicating openly and honestly, and accepting constructive critique.

Additionally, it’s important to keep your word. If you promise to do research for a proposal and have it ready before the deadline, for example, try to have the research completed a week earlier. Building trust can go a long way towards a team’s success.

Energy

Think about the type of co-worker you would like to see in your job. What type of attitude or perspective do they bring to work each day? Is it one of just getting by and doing the bare minimum without much excitement for the work or the goals of the team?

Being part of a team requires energy that can help move the team forward and inspire them to achieve more together than they could ever do on their own. More often than not, the people who bring an energetic spirit to their jobs are the ones who see long-term success.

Accountable

For those who prefer working on their own, one of the challenges to working as part of a team is the issue of accountability. If the only person you’ve ever been accountable to yourself, then a setting where others are counting on you to come through could be tough.

But don’t let this stop you or hold you back. Often, the key to success is the outlook you have on the situation. In this instance, it is helpful to remember that while the team setting may require accountability, it also means you have partners to help accomplish the goal.

Your teammates should be invested in seeing you succeed, because it means they’re more likely to succeed when the team does well.

Mentality

A key element to fitting in with a team is to have the right mentality. That means being positive in the face of tough circumstances, communicating openly about your concerns or hesitations, and being open to constructive criticism that leads to your growth as a professional.

If you were leading a team, what type of people would you want around you? Those with negative attitudes that bring a pessimistic outlook to the job each day, or people who are willing to work together to accomplish a goal while having a joyful and encouraging spirit?

If you’re not already a part of team, it’s very likely that you will at some point in your career, so preparing yourself now is essential for a positive experience.

What other attributes or skills do you think are needed to be successful on a team? Let us know in the comments section.

At Work The Daily Grind

C’mon, Get Active! How to Stay Productive After a Long Day at Work

By Jared Cole on Monday, July 23, 2012

After working a full shift of physical toil, mental stress, or both, nothing sounds better than plopping your exhausted bones into the sweet embrace of your couch, chair, or bed. The problem is that when we are safely embracing the soft cushions and relaxing, we tend to stay there. Time flies as we watch TV, surf the internet, or chat on the phone. Before we know it, the sun is down and it’s time for us to sleep before we start the routine over again.

Sometimes things don’t get done after work and we wonder what happened to our day. It’s hard to force ourselves to work on other projects after a day’s work, but we’re missing out on a great opportunity to follow our passions and grow our skills. Here are ways to be productive, stay active, and have fun after working all day.

Plan Your Passion
It’s easy to get distracted without planning your after-work events. Write down which activities you will want to do and how much time you should devote to them. This may vary since some people don’t want to think about lists and schedules after work, but for the most part, you will be more inclined to do those activities when it’s printed somewhere and you are visually reminded that are goals to meet.

You can also improve your chances of being more productive by working on the things that matter the most to you. Choose activities that you’re most passionate about and naturally drawn to. Sign up for the hobbies, classes, or activities that you love. You’ll be more motivated to spend those precious after work hours on them.

Be Like a Shark
Some species of sharks can’t pump water through their gills and must swim without rest. If they stop, they could suffocate. While you don’t need to be constantly moving without sleep, many people who come home from work sit down, but never get back up. To improve your chances, start on projects as soon as you get home, or participate in activities as soon as work is over to avoid never getting back up. If you must rest, give yourself 10 minutes, depending on your self-control, and then get going again.

Make it a Date
One of the best ways to stay active is to have someone join you. You can keep each other accountable, and you’ll have more fun with a friend tagging along. Having an “accountabilibuddy” is a proven method to help people commit to something and stay committed for a longer period of time.

Make Your Mornings Count
If you really, really have no desire to be active after work, consider doing a few extra things when you wake up and before going to work. Rest, relax, and recharge your batteries after work so you can go to bed early. This way you can wake up earlier to read a book, exercise, or work on a pet project. Also, studies have shown that people who wake up early are more productive and are better positioned for career success.

Generally, your first instinct after work is to lie down and never get up, but with these helpful hints, you can enjoy an active lifestyle that can improve your quality of life, help you become a better leader, and position you better for promotion. What are some of your after-hours activity guidelines? How do you stay motivated? Let me hear your story in the comments below.

At Work Cube Life The Daily Grind

Lunch Foods to Keep you Energized at Work

By Jared Cole on Monday, January 30, 2012

We’ve all been there – 2:30 p.m. rolls around and our eyelids feel like they weigh 50 pounds. We start yawning, then stretch and squirm at our work station to stay awake. The mid-day food drain can impact your productivity at work and can be frowned upon by co-workers if you’re constantly yawning at meetings.

It’s time to ditch the drowsy and embrace the energy at work. By changing a few habits during your lunch break, you can find the energy you need to last the day and work stronger than ever. Here are some fun food ideas to help you stay awake and avoid the urge to take a nap at your desk.

Why Am I So Sleepy?
After eating, your body is diverting blood flow for the digestive process. While this blood flow can energize you, the heavier, fattier foods cause sluggishness. Eating sugary foods greatly increases blood sugar levels, causing the pancreas to release insulin. This causes the body to change the insulin into several enzymes until it finally gets into the brain and is converted into serotonin, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel sleepy.

Like a Checkbook, Keep it Balanced
One of the best ways to keep yourself fueled throughout the day is to make sure your lunch is complete with carbohydrates and low-fat protein. The good kind of carbs come from fiber in foods like fruits and vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains.

One of the best ways to combine these foods is with the classic sandwich. You can combine whole-grain breads, wraps, or pitas with high protein foods like lean meats, such as turkey, chicken, tuna, cheese, or eggs. You can complete it with assorted greens, sprouts, onions, tomatoes, or cucumbers to help give you some extra long-lasting carbs to keep you energized.

Eating sandwiches every day may get boring and you might get back in the habit of eating out. To add some variety to your lunch, consider bringing leftovers from previous dinners. They are a great food to bring because you can control the calories and portions to ensure it will be healthy yet filling. It wouldn’t be hard to cook a little extra at nights and bring your black bean casserole, soup, or chili to work throughout the week.

Less is More
Many starchy and carb-loaded foods take time to expand in your stomach to tell your body that it’s full, which causes you to still feel hungry after eating. Big meals take more effort to digest, which works your body harder and results in less oxygen and nutrition reaching your brain.

Another way to keep your energy level up during work is to spread your meals into smaller portions throughout the day instead of a big meal at lunch. Eating frequent, healthy snacks will keep your metabolism going and help you feel energized. Foods like fruits provide long-lasting carbs full, leaving you feeling energetic hours after consumption. Eating fiber in granola and oatmeal can also help keep you from feeling hungry and give you a vigorous boost as the day continues.

You don’t have to struggle keeping tempo with your after-lunch work schedule. If you eat healthier, smaller portions, you can maintain a high level of energy while feeling full and content all day. What are some foods you like to eat at lunch that keep you going all day?

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