Coping with common work challenges

What a hectic 3-day work week it was! But I'd rather be tired those three days than work 'til the holidays.

Because "Stress Drilon", "Hagardo Verzoza", at "Pagoda Cold Wave Lotion" ako nowadays, I decided to release stress through my words and write this post on common challenges at work and how to cope. By the way, if anyone I work with reads this, wala po akong personally pinatatamaan. These are general views which I believe are experienced by anyone who works in any field or any type of workplace.

Here they are:
1.  Unreasonable and challenging boss - For me, with every person you meet, you need to try and understand their personality. If you can learn about their background or life story go ahead. It will give you an insight on their character. Like if you have a demanding boss, try to assess why they are like that. Most probably they worked their ass off to reach their position and state in life, and probably they see some potential in you that's why they challenge you to the brink. But remember also, challenging is different from being rude and abusive. If your dignity and self-respect are battered to the ground, it's time to think things through. Is this the kind of person I look up to and would want to work with, or worse, be like in the future? Remember, we tend to get traits from the people we look up to. If you have an understanding and unselfish boss, you tend to be like that to your staff too, or the other way around.

2.  Demanding clients/war-freak contacts - When you are in the service industry, there are just clients who think they not only paid for your services but for you as well. These are those who expect you to be at their beck and call, as if your banyo time is being paid too. Sometimes naman ung direct contact mo sa office nila mga super antipatika na susungitan ka everytime you ask information from them. Hello! If you're a consultant, or auditor, or researcher, natural na manghihingi ka na documents or magtatanong ka ng information. Trabaho lang po, kaya gawin mo rin ung sayo. Kaya ka nga inappoint na contact eh. (Parang may pinaghuhugutan hehe)

Well in my opinion, pagsinungitan ka ng mga taong ito, deadma nalang (kakarmahin din yan, mag LBM yan or magka pimples yan for ilang days - sumpain ba? hehe). For clients, try to address their concerns right away. Whether it be a call or an email, try to respond to them, specially if you cannot accommodate their request as soon as possible.

To serve people takes dignity and intelligence. But remember, they are only people with money. And although we serve them, we are not their servants. What we do, does not define who we are. What defines us is how well we rise after falling. - Lionel from the movie Maid in Manhattan

3.  Backstabbers and crabs - Eto na ung mga may crab-mentality. Pagchichismisan ka nila pag coffee break o sisiraan ka sa boss. For me, kahit anong paninira ng mga yan, if your work output is really great, it will show. Ika nga ng kanta ni Rihanna, "shine bright like a diamond". Mag ning-ning ka sa trabaho mo at hayaan mo sila mainggit hehe. Kidding aside, just try to do your best in everything you do and work for God's greater glory and He will give you what you deserve. If you also have friends in the workplace who are achievers, be happy for them as well, maya ilibre ka pa pag na promote sila =).

4.  Tight deadlines - Hay eto ang pinaka kalaban ng mga working moms/dads. Tipong wala ka ng magagawa sa deadline dahil set na talaga un at hindi na mauurong. For me it's really just about focusing on your goal and finishing your task. I'd rather work overtime on weekdays matapos lang ung work, than compromise my weekends and holidays with family. Just concentrate on your work/task at hand and avoid unecessary activities (e.g. internet, chikahan).

It's truly a great blessing to have work which provides for your family's needs. But don't also compromise your health, your sanity and most of all those that really matter to you - your loved ones. Pray for patience, a strong mind and body, and offer your work to God.

Image from the web