Right now a series of post-it notes is affixed to the wall across from my desk. Once in a while you hear or see something that really hits home, and you know it will again, so you save it. On those days –you know the ones – when every task is high priority and nothing seems to be working as planned, a quick glance can help bring perspective.
Remain Calm – when is this not good advice? Unless you are working in something like emergency medicine, you’ve got the opportunity to take a deep breath before making a decision, responding to email, etc. (And even in emergency medicine calmness is probably a welcome quality.)
One Task at a Time – This is an era of multitasking, right? We have computers, smart phones, instant messaging…all of which allow us to monitor multiple channels at once. We can manage multiple priorities, but when it comes to true focus of attention, there may be a better approach. Take a look at this article from NPR – Think You’re Multitasking?
Be Helpful –I think this one came from a tweet from Chris Brogan, but I’m not sure. I do remember that it immediately resonated with me. You can probably name these people at your workplace. They pitch in when help is needed. It’s a powerful thing and makes a huge difference in the day-to-day. I want to be one of those people.
Save the Commentary – All of those electronic tools mentioned above also allow for a back channel of commentary during meetings, presentations, etc. This one is closely linked to ‘be helpful’ above. Does the commentary you might add help everyone to move forward? If not, it may be better to resist the temptation and leave it out. For more on the good and bad of back channel chatter, check out this post on WebWorkerDaily.
Swing Big – If there is a decision to be made or a proposal to put forward, go for it. Be realistic, but stretch a bit. It’s often that stretch, that willingness to take a measured risk, that will open opportunities.
I know you have these post-it notes, too. What do yours say? Share the wealth and positive vibes.
We’ve all found ourselves tackling assorted tasks that were not exactly part of the job description. (Once I actually had to build a sign with donated plywood and paint!) This may be particularly true of Instructional Designers. In a field that is dynamic and in an economy where organizations are striving to do more with less, the job description expands.
Design Doc 