Friday, February 19, 2010

Married to your job?

The weekend is here! Time to whip out the official coworker handbook and grab some better ways and ideas on how to open the door to being loved and accepted inside that place called…the job! He writes while bursting out in hearty laughter.



Where along the way do you suddenly stop thinking about what others think? If too much thought is dropped on your daily plate would the Food and Drug Administration label it a vegetable, fruit or meat?



Why don’t ministers, preachers and judges marry co-working communities? Seriously! The average person spends more time at work than they do at home and it’s always baffled me that a working relationship is never seen as a solid bond between 5, 10 or 4,000 people.



I’m “not” talking about two people falling in love at work. I want to know why the hours that lead to months and years are never taken “business marriage” serious except every two weeks, the beginning and end of the month and when you’re given tax forms before January 31st.



Look how much money lawyers would make if there’s a divorce! Companies won’t be able to instantly fire you…you must be separated for a year. If there’s trouble between you and the GM…you go to counseling or locate a new gym, hobby or restaurant to rebuild the friendship. If that doesn’t work out…then all 5, 10 or 4,000 must vote on whether something should be finalized.



Would the “business marriage” divorce rate be any different than the home life where the big D is happening to 52% of new and old relationships? Something has taught us to quit and quit quickly. I’ve always blamed it on the NFL, NBA and Hollywood—monkey see monkey do. A player wants to be traded, no sweat…ESPN talks about it and poof…everybody but Kobe Bryant is dunking baskets for someone new.



Salary caps might strengthen the American economy. I can’t have the only mom and dad in the world who said, “If you get a new bicycle so does your sister Susan!” So if the clean freak in cubical nine is picking up a few extra bucks then we should all pick up a few extra cha-chings. What’s good for one is good for all right? People without people skills are competitors who’ve lost their drive to compete against the real competition; they elect instead to take it out on one of their team members.



A very tall man once said to me, “There are no rules when it comes to winning.”



Is that what this is all about? Didn’t we get enough of the family squabble between zero and eighteen before we hauled tail to college or the school of hard knocks only to learn we haven’t grown an inch or traveled a mile…the players of the game have only changed.



Going to work doesn’t really have to be a chore. The best way to score is to twist your pattern of thought to the “business marriage zone.” You’re already in the relationship; you might as well get the tax write off!



Quietly look around your office and look at each of your coworkers—smile a real smile and offer to help them in a loving way. Don’t send an email or text…talk to them face to face with compassion and understanding.



Holy cow…even I’m getting sick. It’s not that I don’t love those who make up our winning circle. I just don’t think I can afford more than one Christmas, “I want! I want! I need! I have to have! I need by! Don’t buy me a gift just give me the credit card.”



Do me a favor…come back to work Monday with a smile and if nobody wants to smile back…smile harder. People spend hundreds of dollars every year on makeup for their cheeks, eyes and lips and guys buy suits, ties and shoes that match—its nothing more than a highly accepted and very expensive clown costume. If you truly need to hide behind something…you look 500,000 times better behind a smile.



You’ll be freaked out when someone finally smiles back. It’s ok to be positive even on days when nobody wants it. Like a marriage, be strong and patiently work your way through it. Don’t forget to put faith in the art of listening before reacting. Leave your ego in the front seat of your car. I’ve met people who’ve been married for 55 to 60 years and everyone of them say, “Marriage is like a job…you’ve got to work on it everyday.”



Starting today your job is like a marriage…learn to love it.



arroecollins@clearchannel.com

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