Slices Of Hope — Balancing work and life
By Vincent Muli Kituku
Saturday, November 7, 2009 10:17 PM PST
Lee Iacocca, former chairman of Chrysler Corporation, said that most of the 242 million working people, “swing out of bed, yawn and figure: ‘Oh hell, I’ve got to make it through another day of drudgery.’ ”
Jack Canfield, author of “Chicken Soup For the Soul,” said that about 75 percent of workers don’t like what they are doing or who they work for.
A major explanation for stress has been uncertainty in the workplace. These changes have been experienced nationally and locally. Is change new to humanity? Are there better ways for an individual to thrive in a world of uncertainty? How can one balance the demands of personal life and work?
Establish your purpose on earth from a perspective that is independent from your daily activities. In today’s chaotic workplace, each one should ask himself, “What is the primary purpose or mission in life?”
Commit to your vision, decisions and actions on activities that help you achieve your purpose. In what ways can your employment help you attain that purpose? How are your life goals aligning with the vision and mission of the organization you are working for?
Self-empowerment allows you to take risks and venture into the unknown with confidence. You apply your creativity and authentic potential to achieve your purposes as well as creating an environment for your employer’s success.
Change must be viewed as natural processes that perpetuate growth. It brings new opportunities, including skills, knowledge and abilities, thus improving one’s employability.
Adherence to one’s faith, reflection on what has happened, staying in contact with others and physical activities are springboards for the soul, body and mind as you forge ahead with your journey of accomplishing his mission.
Flexibility is a major survival strategy. The ability to let go of perceptions and practices that may not be beneficial to oneself or an organization is a stress-reduction step. Adhere to the wisdom that, “Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.”
Involvement in community affairs provides opportunities to learn, socialize, help others and strengthen a sense of belonging. It is not only a networking strategy but also an opportunity to help others, which is one of the secrets of success.
Earl Nightingale said, “There is nothing we can do that will bring us more in the way of rewards than daily striving to become better adjusted, happier, more productive human beings. It’s a lifetime job and worth every minute we spend on it.”
Dr. Vincent Muli Kituku, a motivational speaker and adjunct professor at Boise State University, works with organizations to increase productivity through employee and leadership development programs. He can be contacted at (208) 376-8724 or www.Kituku.com. The views and opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the Argus Observer.
