My children and I have shared several dog, enjoyed them all differently, and learned something from each of them. My favorite was our Newfoundland, BearBrooks. Dogs are also quire instructive if you pay particular attention to their behavior, especially in small packs. If you want to be happier at work and move ahead in your career, try to think more like a dog. 🙂
Become Happier at Work:
1. Demonstrate your enthusiasm.
- Learn to love whatever you are doing.
- When your job seems routine, remind yourself of its purpose. That purpose may range from providing food and shelter for your family to inventing a new medicine.
- Sometimes just smiling will make you feel more joyful.
2. Greet everyone.
- Take the time to wish everyone a good morning before you settle down to your tasks.
- Your relationships with your colleagues plays an important role in your job satisfaction.
- Create a friendly atmosphere by exchanging basic daily pleasantries.
3. Lend others your support.
- Take a break from your own concerns to notice how your teammates are feeling.
- When stress levels are high, offer your assistance and encouragement.
- You will feel good about helping out, and people will be more likely to reciprocate when you need a helping hand.
4. Give early warnings.
- Minor workplace conflicts can escalate if they are allowed to fester.
- Speak out tactfully at the first sign of a misunderstanding.
- Giving early warning signs will make your work environment much more pleasant than just growling at people just before you bite their heads off.
5. Bounce back from conflicts.
- Do not waste your time holding grudges.
- Put any unpleasant experiences behind you and demonstrate your willingness to cooperate with everyone to get the job done properly.
6. Follow your instincts.
- Sometimes you have to respond to unfamiliar situations without much time to prepare.
- Trust your instincts when you feel you need to take a risk.
- If, for instance, it is your first time giving a staff presentation, boost your confidence by adapting what you already know from earlier presentations to small groups at work, or church, or other organizations you have belonged to.
7. Get plenty of sleep.
- You may never be able to arrange your schedule to get as much sleep as your dog seems to manage, but you can still strive for 8 hours every night.
- Adequate rest is critical to your mental health.
How to Advance in Your Career:
1. Show off your accomplishments.
- Humility is an admirable quality, but sometimes you need to promote yourself.
- Watch how dogs soak up positive attention without looking like they are bragging.
- Use your success stories to your advantage in job evaluations and interviews.
2. Follow the rules.
- How does your dog know which objects are okay to chew?
- The logic behind some rules may totally elude you, but it is usually best to go along with them to preserve order in the workplace, at least until you understand more.
3. Practice active listening.
- Your colleagues are bound to value you more if you take a sincere interest in them.
- Listen respectfully to what others may be able to teach you.
- Everyone can teach you something!
4. Persevere.
- Perseverance is a big part of success.
- Stay focused and keep on the trail no matter what obstacles arise.
- If you get blocked from digging under the fence, perhaps you can persuade someone to open the gate for you.
5. Contribute to the pack.
- Above all else, think beyond your own personal interests to participate as a team player.
- Take satisfaction in working together to achieve common goals and improve everyone’s well being.
- You can accomplish much more working with others than you ever could on your own.
Dogs are awesome role models for becoming more content and productive at work.
Doc
For more information, see MartinaMcGowan.com
Photo Credit: t.mildner via Compfight cc
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