Most people have seen the film Groundhog Day.
As the audience, we are in the lucky position where we are able to watch chuckle and guffaw as poor Bill Murray quietly goes mad as he becomes stuck in the bizarre situation where every day is the same as the day before. The film tells the story of some kind of hitch in time dimensions so Bill has to relive the same day again and again.
Part of the reason we find it so funny is it reminds us of how repetitious and boring our everyday working lives can be. Same routines, same tasks, same Monday morning, again and again. For some of us this kind of structure is comforting so we carry on treading that never-ending hamster wheel.
But there is no getting away from the fact that working in this way can have a huge detrimental effect on task resolution, job fulfilment, career, motivation and happiness. The job you once enjoyed has become a daily grind, the tasks are done as if on auto-pilot and without any of your true skills and sense of innovation. Hence your boss shakes his head as you sleep walk through what once could have been a promising career.
Stop!
Time to take stock of where you are, make work time more effective and … yes it can actually be enjoyable.
In “Groundhog Day” Bill is on the brink of going doolally when he realises he can use his unending daily routines to his best advantage…and then things begin to get better and better…
The first thing you need to do is stand back from your daily work week and analyse what is happening. Initially you are likely to notice that while your methods, tasks and routines have remained the same, the working environment and the market around you has changed.
So commit to a thorough time management task – the results are likely to get you buzzing.
Advancements in technology, changes in business relationships and your working environment mean you can consider how you do those everyday tasks which have remained the same for so long. You could perhaps introduce new methods of communication and reporting which will streamline your work, cut hours off your daily tasks and also make them more fun.
Variety is the name of the game so as well as streamlining, consider changing the mode of the task. Instead of emailing that client why not call or Skype – or invite them into the office. This can only strengthen business relationships.
Create tiny goals for yourself where the rewards are hugely personal. Need to finish that report that has been such a drudge? Give yourself a challenge: If you finish by midday you can have that Mars Bar you have been promising yourself….haha!
Mix with the guys. Chatting with the guys in the office will always bring something new and raise a laugh so don’t get chained to the desk. Build in “me” time to your daily routine.
So did it work?
Making changes in your daily routine can be really refreshing and we all know if you are enjoying yourself at work, output is better. Consequently, career prospects are better as you have a renewed interest in your work.
But you have to monitor those changes you make;
What worked?
What didn’t work?
What are you going to do differently?
Are they adding to your output? Are they streamlining your workload? Do you still feel like Bill Murray?
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Email: dylis@dylisguyan.com