November
Technology can make us more efficient. It can also put us under greater stress as information is passed on at ever greater speeds. There are two things you should bear in mind. Mastering technology can be a slow process and this will increase the work load initially; and secondly, not all technology makes life easier. Don't accept new ways of working without being sure they will make life easier to handle.
October
It has been proved that appearance counts for a lot. When you meet someone for the first time or you attend an interview it is natural to form a firm impression within the first 30 seconds. What does this mean to us? Well, we can give ourselves a greater than even chance of getting on, by standardising our dress, giving out clear and positive body language messages and reading other's body language.
September
The job you do and the life you lead require many more skills than purely academic ones. Stand back and assess what you can do. Maybe you will identify a natural organiser or a negotiator as part of your many talents. These are the things that will give you a key advantage when looking for promotion.
August
Remember that longer hours do not necessarily mean more productive work. Periodically step back from what you are doing, assess its value and plan a strategy to maximise your effectiveness.
July
Beware of time-consuming training that fails to meet your needs. Ensure that the training you undertake is relevant and applicable and that the goals involved are achievable. Often time is wasted on training for its own sake.
June
Avoid the reality gap. Often there is a gulf between what we say and what we do - a gap between rhetoric and reality. Fine sounding ideas and theories mean nothing if they are not effectively implemented.
May
Be pro-active. Don't wait for things to happen to you. Look ahead and make a flexible plan for the future. Down the road there are always unforeseen hitches that interfere with your aims. This does not mean you should abandon your plans but merely adjust them to fit the changed circumstances.
April
It takes all sorts to make a world. This is also true of teams. A team is made of many different role players. Belbin identifies amongst others, the specialist, the monitor/evaluator, the resource instigator, the innovator, the coordinator and the shaper. Knowing your role in a team is integral to its smooth running. Not everybody can be or should try to be a leader,
March
If you initiate change in your organisation be prepared for unexpected outcomes. There is always a knock-on effect. For example, when a workforce is asked to increase productivity through working longer hours. Longer hours do not necessarily equal greater output. More days might be lost through illness, more unproductive time may be spent on a task and alienation might arise between management and workers. Beware!
February
Smile and you will make someone happy.
Gong Xi Fa Cai
Aim never to go out on one errand. Look ahead and plan to tackle at least two tasks at a time. For example, if you are going to the library you might also pick up a few groceries from a shop nearby. This will save two lots of traveling time.