Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Keep, Stop, Start

Here's a technique that I once learned in a time-management class.

Keep: Using checklist to guide the day

Stop:
- missing meetings!
-procrastinating. Make executive, tough decisions if you need to.

Start: spend 1st 10mins of the day to look at what meetings you have

My (Old) Motto

Rule #1. Complaining is for the weak.

Rule #2. Don't feel sorry for yourself

The two rules is what carried me through high school and college. I remember giving this advice to so many people, trying to motivate them or cheer them up. I used to say it to myself and to others, very smug.

I have to admit that when I felt the most low recently, I had to dig deep, real deep and these rules is what I recalled. And what was a little scary is that I almost didn't believe them. Or rather, I didn't believe in myself to live up to them.

I'm clawing my way back. Today was the typical roller coaster: Got a complaint from the neighbor about our contractor doing some damage to their roof. Had my boss insult me and my work in front of my peers. Had my work area line down which will probably affect the quarterly revenue. Was asked to go on a business trip to Taiwan when I know damn good and well that no one can help my wife take care of the kids. Other than that, it was a pretty normal day. Starting to see what's burning me out?

Monday, February 28, 2011

Baby steps

I have this morning off and suffered a minor set back: the neighbors complained that our roofer left some shingles on our roof and the wind knocked it off and cracked their skylight. I've contacted the roofer, took images and let him know that we need immediate action on this.

Moving on, I tried to take a nap, but I was sooooo anxious that I felt I had to do *SOMETHING*, so I cleaned up the house and feel a lot better.

Battle with burnout

This is a blog to help chronicle by battle with burnout. We will see how it progresses. I'm terribly on the verge of burnout from work and while in the "old days" - maybe a guy like me would just "deal with it" (which I suppose I'm capable of doing) - I figure, "Why do that when I can vent online and find some meaning to this drama?"