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Work Jerks: The 18 Most Annoying Things People Do at the Office

Life

Leave a comment and tell us which habit annoys you the most or suggest a new one!

People can be pretty annoying at the office. There is always some chump who is bored of his work so he decides to distract other people. Here are the most annoying things that people do at the office.

The most annoying things people do at the office

1. Listen to music out loud
I always remember when I was studying for university exams in the library. I used to get so angry when people would hook their ipods up to the computer and play it out a loud with absolutely no regard for the other people around them.

Funny story – I remember one time a campus security guard came up to check on things and heard the music playing loudly. He walked up the person, stood in front of them and very calmly said “What the hell is wrong with you? Get out.”

I couldn’t thank him enough.

2. Loud talking on the phone
My girlfriend is a loudtalker. When she gets a phone call she always yells at the person on the other end. I hope she doesn’t read this because she often accuses me of doing the same thing. Either way, it is really annoying when someone yells over the phone and you cannot help but listen in.

3. Arrive late for meetings
This might be my father coming out in me but I get really annoyed when people arrange a meeting with you and arrive late. What’s worse, however, is when they do it all the time. If you are late for meetings all the time it shows that you don’t value other people’s time and it conveys a lack of respect.

4. Eat other people’s food
So you had a nice meal for dinner and you brought the leftovers for lunch at the office. You are trying to be healthy and not eat out for lunch but when you go to the fridge to get it someone else has already eaten some. Annoying.

5. Spread rumors
I don’t know about you but around the end of high school I got pretty sick of gossip. I got sick of hearing what so and so did and I got sick of talking about them behind their back. People at the office love to spread rumors even if they know it is going to hurt the person they are talking about. I think talking lies and gossiping is one of the most annoying things people do at the office.

6. “Borrow” money
I don’t mind shouting people lunch. I love eating with other people so if you are a few bucks short I will be happy to meet the gap. However, what is annoying is when the same person keeps asking for money all the time; money they never pay back. Similarly, there is always someone in the office who eats all of the group pizza and only chips in a couple of bucks. If you borrow money make sure you pay it back. [Read more…] about Work Jerks: The 18 Most Annoying Things People Do at the Office

Originally posted on March 27, 2008 @ 8:28 am

5 Funny Workplace Related Videos for a Quick Laugh

Life

I love a good office joke and the following videos are some of the funniest workplace related videos you’re ever likely to see.

The funniest workplace videos ever

1. Terry Tate Office Linebacker
This is one of the most popular Super Bowl commercials that ever went on television. It is based around the massive footballer Terry Tate who gets hired to work in an office as a disciplinarian. His methods are questionable but freaken hilarious!

2. Ted from Scrubs
In case you’re not a Scrubs fan (where have you been living?) Ted is the resident hospital lawyer. He is a bit slow. His boss is a bit mean. This scene is a perfect portrayal of what it can be like to ask management for some new equipment.

3. Hilarious Demon Prank
I love a good office prank. I want to find the program that let’s me do this one!

4. Why You Shouldn’t Photocopy Your Butt
Here is a pretty good reason as to why you shouldn’t photocopy your butt at the office.

5. Scrubs Coffee Addiction
In case you haven’t gathered Scrubs is my favorite show. In this clip JD ponders his coffee addiction. I’m sure we can all relate.

I’m always on the lookout for funny office clips so if you know of any drop us a line using the contact form.

Originally posted on March 26, 2008 @ 1:51 pm

Better Work: How You Can Easily Simplify Your Workspace

Life


Creative Commons License photo credit: GrahamIX

It is very hard to work in a messy office. When our room/desk is messy our minds also become messy. In this post I want to look at some simple things you can do to simplify your workspace.

How to simplify your workspace

Here are some basic pointers that you can use.

1. Delete your emails
Something that I realized a long time ago is that it is harder to manage my online business dealings when my inbox is full. I lose track of emails, forget to reply to people and just feel sort of messy. This is especially important if you’re anything like me and get over 100 emails a day.
[Read more…] about Better Work: How You Can Easily Simplify Your Workspace

Originally posted on March 26, 2008 @ 5:02 am

How to be More Creative at Work the Homer Simpson Way

Life, Mind, Mindfulness

Homer trying to be creative like Edison

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein

When it comes getting a promotion or a great reputation at work it seems creativity is the most important thing. People who are creative are able to get new clients/contracts or do their work in a way that gets noticed.

In the episode of the Simpsons where Homer decides he wants to be an inventor he gives us some valuable tips on how to be creative. Let’s take a look…

What is creativity?

Before we get into Homer’s lessons it is important to specifically define what creativity is so that we are not confused when we try to achieve it. I quite like the definition from dictionary.com:

“Creativity is the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination.”

It is important to look at a few elements of this definition.

1. Transcend tradition
This is an important element to look at. Quite often at the office or workplace we get stuck in a rut and end up doing things the same way every single time. We are creatures of habit and our work is no different. To be creative we need to transcend this. [Read more…] about How to be More Creative at Work the Homer Simpson Way

Originally posted on March 25, 2008 @ 12:29 am

6 Movies You Must See to Learn About a Better Workplace

Life

Over the years I have seen so many movies that have left a big imprint on my life. In this post I want to tell you about a few movies that will help you look at your work in a brand new light.

6 movies you must see to increase your happiness at work

1. The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness

“You got a dream… You gotta protect it. People can’t do somethin’ themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want somethin’, go get it. Period.” – Will Smith, The Pursuit of Happyness

As far as work related movies go this is my favorite. I have seen it a few times now and every time I watch it I get inspired to better myself as a person and make something of my life. Will Smith does a fantastic job playing a father who is struggling to make ends meet and support his wife and child. The trials he and his son go through while he is trying to “make it” are simply magic.

The great thing about this movie is that it shows you that you can achieve anything you set your mind to; even when your circumstances are working against you. But more importantly, you don’t have to compromise your morals to do it.

For more on Will Smith check out another article we wrote about developing charisma.

And before you ask; no that’s not a spelling error. The word “Happyness” is a reference to a scene in the movie.

2. Fight Club

“We’ve all been raised on television to believe that one day we’d all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won’t. And we’re slowly learning that fact. And we’re very, very pissed off.” – Tyler Durdan

Fight Club is without a doubt one of the best movies you can see to change your perspective about work. It is full of modern wisdom that can really help you see your life and your work in a new way. I have written a full article about Fight Club which shares some of Tyler Durdan’s wisdom.

The great thing about Fight Club is that it used a new and up to date method to present a message. If you didn’t learn any lessons from the movie you would have at least had a good two hours of entertainment.

3. Meet Joe Black

Meet Joe Black

Another Brad Pitt movie that made me re-think everything I knew about work. In this timeless movie Brad Pitt plays the human embodiment of “death” who has come to take Anthony Hopkins to the next life. The two forge somewhat of a relationship and end up teaching each other some valuable lessons.

The thing I really liked about Meet Joe Black is that it teaches impermanence without being too depressing. It shows you that you can work your whole life building up an empire but in the end you can’t take it with you when you die.

4. Rocky

Rocky

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.” – Rocky

The Rocky movies aren’t really about “work” as such but they can teach you a lot about work. Rocky is extremely humble and genuine and in his pursuit of greatness he learns a lot about love, patience, justice and discipline.

I remember watching the Rocky movies and thinking afterwards that I could do anything I put my mind to. I went to work with a renewed sense of purpose and energy thinking that if Rocky can get himself out of a dead-end job then so can I.

5. To Sir With Love

To Sir With Love

This movie might be before your time (it is way before mine) but it is well worth looking up. My mother showed me this movie when I was in high school and I remember being deeply affected by it.

The movie is based around Sidney Poitier who takes a teaching job in the rough end of London. The students are rough and rude and Sidney takes it upon himself to teach them a few life lessons. It is one of the most inspiring films ever made.

The hit 90’s movie Dangerous Minds was a modern adaption of this classic.

6. Tears of the Sun

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. – Edmund Burke

(from the title card of the movie)

I don’t really like Bruce Willis and I don’t really like movies about ethnic cleansing but this one really moved me. The movie is set in Nigeria where mass genocide is taking place. Bruce and his team of Navy Seals are dropped into the heat of the action to bring home an American doctor before she is murdered. However, after witnessing several acts of mass murder the troops decide to ignore their orders to return home and stay to help the local villagers escape to Cameroon.

This movie teaches us that sometimes the right decision is the tough decision. Sometimes we need to go against our managers directives in the name of doing the right thing – even if it means we have consequences.

More of the best movies about work

I would love to compile a massive list of the most inspiring work related movies. Leave a comment and tell everyone what movie inspired you. The movie doesn’t have to be specifically about work as long as it helped you learn a lesson that you could apply to your own workplace.

Originally posted on March 24, 2008 @ 6:54 am

10 of the Best Things to Do on the Bus When Going to Work

Life, Mindfulness


Creative Commons License photo credit: photonooner

Riding the bus used to be my favorite time of the day. I drive a car now due to distance but in the old days I would spend at least an hour on a bus everyday. It was during this time that I got a lot of my deep thinking done. Here are some suggestions for you.

10 of the best things to do on the bus when going to work

1. Sleep
Honestly I feel like I got some of my best sleep ever on the bus. The bumps and the groan of the engine put me to sleep like a little baby. Just wrap your coat or jumper up in a ball and put it between your head and the window. Perfect. Don’t miss your stop though!

2. Make new friends (good looking ones!)
Quite often people on the bus are real ass holes. They sit there and don’t say anything and when they do it is usually an insult. However, when you make the effort to talk to someone you can usually make a good friend. This is especially true if you catch the bus home at the same time everyday.

I’ll give you an example. There was this girl that caught the bus home from University with me everyday at the same time. One day she sat next to me and I decided it would be a good time to talk to her. We hit it off so well and are now really good friends. Recently I saw her waiting at the bus stop with a coffee. I was running late and missed our usual bus and she had waited for me so we could catch the next one together. Now that’s a good friendship – all because of a bus ride.

3. Read philosophy
I used to do most of my buddhist and western philosophy reading on the bus. The reason for this is that the bus has a special “spiritual” quality about it. It is 30 or 40 people packed in together going to a job they hate or back home after a big day at that job. No one really talks. They just travel. I find it quite interesting to read philosophy and ponder the nature of the bus!

However, you don’t want anything too heavy for the bus because it is often hard to focus with all the noise. Some light/short reading is good.

Some books that I would highly recommend for some bus philosophy are:

– The Autobiography of Tibet’s Greatest Yogi; Milarepa
– the Tao de Ching
– Old Path White Clouds
– The Miracle of Mindfulness
– The Art of Happiness
– The Monk and the Philosopher

4. Meditate
If you have an hour on the bus where you have nothing to do you may as well get started on your daily meditation.

Meditation is the best way to relax yourself, develop intelligence and increase your happiness. It will help you deal with the stresses of work and at the end of the day it will help you wind down after that stressful day.

The best meditation for the bus is one where you focus on the breath. All you do is sit up straight and place your hands on your knees. Keep your eyes slightly open and slightly downward. Start to become aware of the breath coming in and out of your nose. Don’t try to slow it down, just notice it. Start counting each round of breath. A round is one inhale and one exhale. Count to ten and then start again. A buddhist master once also told me that this can fix some minor health problems.

5. Read the newspaper
Something else that is worthwhile doing is grabbing a paper and catching up on what has been happening in the world overnight. I used to grab my paper at lunch time and then read it on the bus on the way home. If there has been any important news like a terror attack you might be a few hours behind but usually it is okay.

6. Listen to podcasts
There are plenty of good podcasts that can help you in your daily life. You can listen to them on the bus so that you are ready and excited about the day ahead. We are going to start doing some work related podcasts soon here at The Daily Mind. Subscribe to our feed so you don’t miss out when they are released.

7. Study
In university I did all my reading on the bus. I hardly ever did homework at home, it was always done on the bus on the way to the class. Not the smartest idea but it worked for me. Try to plan ahead what you are going to read and get started on it right away so you don’t waste any time.

8. Look out the window
There is something very relaxing about watching people go by outside the bus window. You get to see so much of your city and things are always changing and taking on different shapes. Sometimes looking out the window is also a good idea for people who get car sick as it is supposed to prevent you feeling like you are in a moving vehicle.

9. Do nothing
One of the hardest things to do for us westerners is “nothing”. I am not talking about being lazy or being asleep. I am talking about taking time to do nothing. Fixed time for nothing is very important and is a wonderful way to de-stress, slow down and increases your happiness. A day set aside for doing “nothing” is not a day wasted.

10. Write your goals for the day
Something we talk about a lot here at The Daily Mind is writing down your goals. Once you write down a goal and give it a timeline it becomes something we can achieve. Doing it on the bus is a great way to set the tone and mood for your day.

Conclusion
The great thing about doing things on the bus is that it feel like you are getting time for free as you are doing something on the way to work. Its almost like someone is driving you to work while you do something more important. Make good use of the time.

Originally posted on March 22, 2008 @ 1:11 am