Time Warner Telecom - Tip of the Month

Impress The Boss: Work Less

We all know a couple of them: the guy who’s plugging away in the office before anyone arrives and still works diligently after everyone leaves. Or the woman who eats lunch at her desk while trying to catch up on e-mails. While workaholics can earn the praise of their bosses, they lack something that’s equally as important—a personal life.

According to a University of Michigan study, being overworked has been linked to a range of health problems, including exhaustion, stress and high blood pressure. This work-addicted lifestyle also takes a serious toll on a person’s family.

The fruits of putting in long hours may not be as valuable as previously thought. According to a University of Michigan study, workaholics often misjudge the benefits of always being on the job. While it seems that those who put in extra time would naturally enjoy more success, that’s not always the case. Workaholics often sacrifice quality for quantity.

Use the following tips to establish a healthy balance between a rewarding work environment and a fulfilling personal life:

• See and be seen: When working evenings or weekends, stop by a supervisor’s office. This reinforces your dedication and may also provide an opportunity to talk one-on-one without interruptions.
• Own successful habits: Don’t be shy about playing up your career successes in front of a supervisor. When appropriate, mention them to co-workers as well. A boss will be even more impressed if a respected employee puts in a good word about all your hard work.
• Send an e-mail after hours: If you’re catching up on e-mail after hours or on a weekend, send a note to your boss. This is a good way to subtly show the extra work you put in—but don’t overdo it. Sending too many late night or early morning messages may leave the impression you can’t manage your time or imply you’re preoccupied with work.
• Settle for less than perfection: Most workaholics’ addictions stem from their desire for perfection. While it’s important to strive for the best, you have to know when to settle. It’s exhausting and demoralizing to set unattainable goals at every turn. Aim for great work on most assignments, and stretch yourself on the really important projects.
• Be reliable: Don’t work late every night or come in on weekends just to be the boss’ “go-to” employee. You’re more likely to impress your boss by going the extra mile when it’s actually needed rather than simply working long hours.

Establishing a comfortable workflow and balancing it with a life outside the office not only allows for a happier employee, it can also impress the boss.

(If your operating system does not support using a Print button,
simply use your Web browser's "Print" command instead.)

©2007 Time Warner Telecom. All rights reserved.