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Are you becoming a SLACKER?
Is there anything more difficult mentally than going to a job you don't like or don't intend to keep? Every day feels like a lie -- to your co-workers, your customers, your boss and, of course, yourself.
And yet, the bargain we make with the mortgage company is that we will send a check every month. This and other promises keep us coming to work, even when we'd rather be anyplace else on Earth.
If the sense of futility weren't depressing enough, the situation comes with a built-in blow to your self-esteem: You now face the possibility of devolving into a slacker.
Of course, if you start out as a slacker, you may not notice much change in your work habits. But people with strong work ethics are challenged by the dual pull on their energy during these periods. The first pull comes from wanting to do a good job; the second comes from wanting to protect themselves from further frustration in a bad work situation.
So how do you know if you're slacking off on the job? The classic signs include coming in late, taking long lunches and doing anything else in your power to shorten the number of hours at work.
Taking shortcuts, handing off assignments that you should be doing or letting work pile up are also indicators.
You may find yourself skipping meetings that you know would produce more work for you or cutting back on the extra assignments you used to do voluntarily. Almost certainly if you're slacking you're not developing ideas or looking for ways to be useful. You even may have cut out the extracurriculars, such as industry classes or conferences.
Maybe these changes in work style don't seem so bad. After all, if the majority of the work is getting done, who's being harmed by your taking back some of the time you've given the company over the years? Heck, counting all the travel/overtime/weekend work you've put in, they probably still owe you a month or two.
If these justifications sound familiar, you may have traveled this road before. If so, you probably already know the answer to the question about who is being harmed. Of course, it's you.
You aren't working to your capacity, and you also have stopped growing and learning on the job. You may be tarnishing your reputation, and you're almost certainly stunting relationships with your network.
If you think you hate your job now, picture yourself stuck there to the end of your career. That's the kind of self-fulfilling prophecy we set up when we begin slacking off. By doing less than we're capable of, we develop habits that make us unappealing to new employers. It's a nasty cycle that you want to avoid.
Like most mental challenges, this is easier said than done -- although well worth the effort. Following are some tips to help you keep your spirits up during an untenable work situation.
1. Try to develop a timeline. We can tolerate a lot if we know when things will improve. If you are able to assign an end date to this position, you may be able to raise the level of your work for that period.
2. Don't decline assignments because you may not be there to finish them. If you got sick or died, your boss would have to reassign your work, right? Well, your boss will reassign your work if you leave halfway through the project. With rare exceptions, it's better to stay involved in your projects than to pull back.
3. Structure in some balance. The temptation to slack off is usually a sign that you need a break. Maybe a permanent break would do you the most good, but for now, settle for simply reclaiming your weekends or evenings. Work as efficiently as possible during your shift, then put the work down and go home. If this upsets your boss, push back and fight for at least a partial victory. What's the worst that could happen? Losing your job?
4. Add variety to your day, whenever possible. It may be having lunch with a friend, starting the day by walking part of the way to work or going out later to a movie.
5. Make a plan to improve things. Whether it's changing jobs or doing something to improve this one, you really need to take some action. With so many work options available, it's not logical to stay in a bad job, waiting to become a bad worker. You deserve better.
- Amy Lindgren owns Prototype Career Service, a career consulting firm in St. Paul, Minn. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecareerservice.com or at 1071 W. Seventh St., St. Paul, MN 55102.
