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8 Recent World Events That Made You Re-Think Your Job

Inspiration

September the 11th Terror Attack

Every now and then something happens in the world that makes you completely re-think your job and how you go about your daily life. In this article I want to look at 8 world events that made me change the way I looked at my work – sometimes with a very harsh lesson.

1. September 11th Terror Attack
No body in my generation will ever forget this day. It was our “Kennedy Assassination”. It changed the course of the world forever. I remember sitting on the couch with my breakfast and turning on the television just in time to see the second plane hit the second tower. I was terrified and deeply saddened as if I automatically knew what the Bush Administration was about to do in response to this tragedy.

September 11 taught me that life can end at anytime. Even when you think your day is going to be a boring normal day at the office a terrorist attack could come and take it all away in an instant. Don’t waste another moment in a job you hate.

2. Bush getting RE-elected

George Bush giving the finger

As if it wasn’t bad enough the first time, the American people re-elected George Bush after a first term that made history’s worst presidents look like gods.

This is a man who went to war with Iraq with shaky legal grounds, vetoed bills that your elected representatives had approved, passed polices that stripped you of your rights, etc. His worst crime, however, was the Congressional speech where he stated: “You’re either with us or you’re with the terrorists.” This statement polarized the world and the most importantly the US Media. Everyone was now too afraid to report anti-Bush news for fear of being labeled “terrorist supporters”. Without an impartial media a democracy simply cannot function. [Read more…] about 8 Recent World Events That Made You Re-Think Your Job

Originally posted on April 1, 2008 @ 3:43 am

Eco-Friendly Office: 10 Small Things You Can Do at Work to Help the Environment

Mindfulness

The environment is struggling. For too long we have taken from the Earth without giving back. The time to sit on our hands is over. In this post I want to look at some very small and simple things you can do at work to help the environment.

Small things you can do at work to help the environment

Small things add up. If 100 people do 100 small things it starts to make a big difference. Please read these tips and then forward them to your friends and co-workers.

Let’s see if we can make a difference. These tips are not hard to implement.

1. Turn off your lights
Lights are the biggest killer of energy in the corporate world. Massive buildings like the Empire State Building have millions of lights and they leave them all on, all night. What a waste.

The simplest thing you can do to help the environment is turn off your lights when you don’t need them. When you go out of the office for lunch or to the toilet turn your lights off. This makes a huge difference.

An average globe uses 60 watts in an hour. If you turn that light off for one hour a day you will save 22,000 watts of energy in a year. If 1000 people do it – we’re making a difference.

2. Switch to compact fluorescent lamps


Creative Commons License photo credit: mikefats

These bulbs are the spiral ones as opposed to the traditional round light bulb. Using one of these lasts as long as SIX traditional globes and saves up to 75% of the energy. They cost a bit more off the shelf but save heaps in long term costs. Easy. [Read more…] about Eco-Friendly Office: 10 Small Things You Can Do at Work to Help the Environment

Originally posted on March 31, 2008 @ 12:18 am

What Britney Spears Can Teach You About Career Moves

Inspiration, Spirit

Britney Spears is the self proclaimed embodiment of the lifestyle of the rich and famous. She has achieved huge success, fame and wealth. She has also started to lose the plot. In this article I want to take a [painful] look at what Britters can teach us about a good career moves.

What can Britney Spears teach you about career moves

We should probably do the opposite of everything mentioned here.

1. When you start something, don’t finish it
In 2007 Britney Spears checked into a fancy rehab clinic. She was preparing to get off the drugs and alcohol and needed help. She was preparing for a long, tough and agonizing journey.

She checked out the same day.

If you want to quit a bad habit or develop a new good habit it is important to give up as soon as it gets hard.

2. Don’t face up to your misdeeds, even if there were witnesses

Britney hitting a parked car and driving away

Earlier in the year Britney drove her car into another car and then drove away without leaving a number, insurance details, etc. The problem was, there were hundreds of paparazzi cameras flashing away; the whole thing was caught on camera.

This teaches us the importance of not being honest and not caring about other people’s property. It also shows that we should never face up to things that we have done wrong, even when there are witnesses.

3. Disrespect those who influence your future
When Britney Spears was in court for one of her many criminal acts she proceeded to call the judge who was about to decide her sentence an “old fart”.

This is a good idea for all of use who want to get ahead. Don’t suck up to people, make fun of them and call them names!

4. Give only 50% at important work gatherings

Britney Spears comeback performance

Remember when Britney finished her stint in rehab and had to give a come back performance for her new album? She got up on stage in a tight bikini looking perhaps a little overweight, tired and possibly high. It was not a pretty sight. Everyone felt sorry for her and really didn’t enjoy the performance.

This lessons shows us how important it is to make little to no preparations and then give only 50% of your best when it counts.

5. If in doubt, kiss Madonna
Some people have said that the kiss with Madonna was the beginning of the end for Britney. It was after this that her drug abuse worsened, she married a few deadbeats in Vegas, released a greatest hits album (already!), checked in and out of rehab and more.

Britney was now showing the world that everything she had said before about her morals, ethics and religion was no longer important. All of that could be forgone for some ratings.

Conclusion on Britney’s career moves

We all laugh and joke about Britney but in reality I think we have lost sight that this girl is in serious trouble. She is mentally unwell and obviously not happy. The sad thing is that is the we as consumers who created this. Her life is public because we can’t get enough of the gossip.

But I ask you: what is so good about this woman that you want to keep looking? Nothing she does is worthy of attention.

The reason for writing this post was 1) to have a bit of a laugh and 2) to show that everything that we do has a consequence. Little girls are learning from Britney and will grow up thinking that she is a role model. Is your career so important that you would be unethical to get to where you want to be?

“Be very mindful of everything that you say for those very words could establish someone on the path to success or failure.” – Unknown.

Originally posted on March 29, 2008 @ 6:03 am

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