|
| |
|
Success!Ezine
Volume 4 Issue 9 -- September 2006
DrCarolWebster.com
Copyright 2006 All Rights Reserved
Success!Ezine
is a Free newsletter provided to you by
Dr. E. Carol Webster to help you get ahead in life
and enjoy your success.
Send e-mail address to
Subscribe if this is the first edition
you've received and you'd like to receive future issues. Your address will
not be shared.
Send e-mail address to
Unsubscribe
if you'd like to be removed from the mailing list. |
E. Carol Webster, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in
consulting practice in Fort Lauderdale, FL providing professional
development consultation, private practice development and promotion, media
psychology and publishing consultation, as well as cultural competency
consultation for clinicians in
need of case review. Feel free to call or
e-mail for more information.
Dr. Webster is author of
Success Management: How to Get to the Top and Keep
Your Sanity Once You Get There and The
Fear of Success: Stop It From Stopping You! |
Feature Article
Meeting
Deadlines
E. Carol Webster, Ph.D.
Copyright © 2006
Daunted by deadlines? Unable to get yourself together to complete your
work on time? Don’t beat yourself up if this happens now and then. But, if
you persistently fail to deliver, you need to give yourself a stern
talking to and vow to fix this problem immediately. Employers and/or your
customers count on you to do a job and if you really can’t cut it, you
need to give serious thought to moving on. Before concluding that the
situation is hopeless, though, put a high priority on learning how to stay
focused so that you can produce the results expected of you -- within the
expected timelines -- no matter where you go.
 |
Clarify The Key Task At Hand |
If you’re facing a deadline to finish a report, for example, clearly
visualize the finished product. Focus only on this report even if your desk
is piled with other projects so that you’re very clear about what needs to
be done now. If multiple assignments are due on the same day, at the
same time, pick one to start with and understand that you will have to
hustle and get this one done early. It really is okay to finish tasks
ahead of schedule. Focus in on the first project. Exactly what steps are
necessary to complete this one task? Do you need to research more
information? Do you already have a working outline? Or is it just time to
sit down and write? Keep each of these steps central in your mind’s eye and
get busy!
|
Avoid Distractions |
To meet deadlines, you must stay on task. Yes, you may be a person who can
do many things at once, but this isn’t the time for that. Cut off the chime
on your e-mail so that you’re not tempted to check messages for those you
can respond to quickly. No matter how quick, your attention is diverted and
the momentum you may have been building towards completing your key task is
lost. Send phone messages to voice mail. This most definitely includes your
cell phone, which should be turned off or silenced, unless you are required
to answer all calls. In that case, let callers know that you are on deadline
– because you are -- and follow up with non-critical communications
later.
|
Shut Your Door |
If office protocol does not allow you to work with your door shut, close it
slightly, post a sign or find some other way to signal that you are busy. If
you work in a cubicle, definitely you must use some sort of visual prop that
lets co-workers know you prefer not to be disturbed at this time. Casual
drop-by visits from colleagues can be terribly disruptive to your focus –
especially if you’re engaged in critical analytic or creative activities.
When focused, you are likely to be pleasantly surprised by the quality and
quantity of work you produce. There’s no time for socializing when a
deadline looms.
|
Go To Lunch By Yourself |
It’s not necessary to hold up in your office indefinitely and it’s good to
take a break here and there to clear your head, but try to keep to yourself
until your task is completed. The colleagues, friends or family members you
typically meet for lunch are a great source of support, but they bring their
own emotional baggage and you never know when, what and how much will be
heaped upon you. People hear your words when you say “Yes, I’ll meet you for
lunch but I have an important project to finish.” But typically their issues
get dumped on you anyway and the mental and emotional energy you need to do
your best work on your project is quickly drained. Avoid this risk by
declining these invitations until your work is done. If you’re not
comfortable lunching by yourself, you need to work on this.
|
Treat Yourself When The Task Is Completed |
Whether you complete a big or small project on time, meeting a deadline
equals success and you deserve to feel good about this. Treat yourself to
something special for a “job well done” and don’t worry about whether anyone
else gives you a pat on the back. Do it yourself!
There will
always be deadlines, so get used to this. A mark of professional competency
is being able to deliver. Take the steps necessary to stay focused and on
task and you will be proud of yourself for the fine job you’ve done.
About the Author:
Dr. E. Carol Webster is a clinical psychologist in consulting practice in Fort
Lauderdale, FL and is author of
Success Management: How to
Get to the Top and Keep Your Sanity Once You Get There
and The Fear of Success:
Stop It From Stopping You! |
|
Ask Dr. Webster...
Dear Dr. Webster:
I
have a problem!
I
work with a tour company that sends guests to the hotel I manage from all
over the world on a bi weekly basis. The guests are different each time but
the tour directors are just 3. At any tour we could have the same tour
director 4 times in row. After the 4th time, a new tour director out of the
3 will come. The problem is there is one tour director that comes to the
hotel and COMPLAINS about everything EVERY TIME. May it be the fish is too
dry, the bags were not delivered in a time that he thought was appropriate,
wake up calls were not made...the list goes on. My initial interaction with
him was difficult when he told me that he would make it so that his company
"Never uses this hotel again!"
I
must say working in the hospitality industry has it moments but this guy has
got to stop. When the management and staff make a mistake, the team will
act immediately to make matters better by acknowledging the mistake, making
amends and sending the guest an amenity or some thought of retribution item
to show remorse. The first time the Mr. Complainer said the fish was dry,
we apologized and gave guests complimentary glasses of wine and switched the
type of fish and preparation for the next group's arrival...The next time
Mr. Complainer said the different type of fish was dry again (Please
understand that whenever the complaints are given by Mr. Complainer the
complaints are given in a fashion to demean the management and staff of the
hotel). The third time we switched the fish and Mr. Complainer complained
again.
Now, Mr.
Complainer has the president of the company thinking that maybe my hotel is
not a right fit. Please understand that the person has signed the
contract to use the hotel is working on her end at the corporate office to
discredit Mr. Complainer. Help!
What do you recommend? I don't want to loose the overall business but need
to make Mr. Chronic Complainer Mr. Appreciator.
-- Want to Make the Guest
Happy
Dear
Want to Make the Guest Happy:
It is true that some customers are impossible to
satisfy and it’s difficult to spend time working on a relationship with a
complainer when all you get is negativity. But do try anyway. Spend time
with him—not just in correcting the problems he dumps in your lap.
What amenities were given or shown especially to him? And what
makes him feel his guests are too good for your hotel? What
characteristics might you be missing? I assume you have surveyed or
solicited feedback from these guests and tour directors in some way.
Please don’t be afraid to do this. And to do so in a uniform, systematic
fashion. Better to know than not to know and have these complaints
cropping up on each visit. Offer an incentive to encourage the guests to
provide the feedback rather than leave it only for those who are
disgruntled to fill out your usual hotel evaluation forms. Some
organizations survey, others assign a representative to the “difficult”
group specifically to solicit input and to quickly quash any problems that
may emerge. But very often, the problem is less with the guests as a whole
and is rather with the individual in charge who prides him or herself as
“bringing in the business” who does not feel adequately recognized for his
or her “status” and value. You may feel like you’re going to choke as you
have to attend to Mr. Complainer’s ego needs because it is upsetting and
embarrassing to get complaints – especially when they are brought to the
attention of the company president – so use your professional support
network to deal with your feelings so that you can remain sharp and
develop effective strategies to address the different customer needs of
your tour directors versus those of the group at large. Because as
long as Mr. Complainer does not feel treated like a big shot, he will do
things to bring himself to the attention of those at the top so that you
can get shot down too!
--Dr. Webster
Got a Question?
Ask Dr. Webster
|
Success Motivator
The thing is
to never deal yourself out…
Opt for the best possible hand. Play with verve and sometimes with
abandon,
but at all times with calculation.
-- L. Douglas Wilder
Success Tip
DIFFICULT AND EXTREME BOSSES AT A GLANCE
Level 1: Difficult Bosses
Operate from a predominant fear or belief.
The Avoider
Fear: Confrontation of any kind.
Remedy: Come up with your own solutions and drive the process.
The Shoot-the-Messenger
Fear: Receiving difficult information.
Remedy: Meet and communicate regularly so there are no surprises.
The Sacred Cow
Fear: Being exposed as incompetent.
Remedy: Share the spotlight. Learn how to work them into your plans.
The Charming Cheating Liar
Fear: If they play by the rules they won’t win.
Remedy: Make good deals for yourself.
Level 2: Extreme Bosses
Incapable of feeling empathy for anyone but themselves. You're in a no-win
situation. Unhook as if you’re with a Fatal Attraction.
The Controlling Egomaniac
What you have to accept: You will never be allowed to shine.
The Absentee
What you have to accept. He or she doesn’t care and won’t show up for the
business.
The Unpleasable
What you have to accept: He or she cannot be pleased and will always find
something to be unhappy about.
The Credit Stealer
What you have to accept: He or she feels no remorse about taking credit for
other people’s work.
From the book:
Working with You Is Killing Me:
Freeing Yourself from Emotional Traps at Work
by Katherine Crowley and Kathi Elster
Warner Business Books, New York, 2006 |
|
If you enjoyed this newsletter, forward a copy to
friends so they can subscribe!
Thank You
-------------
Your input is important.
Share your
Feedback
and suggest topics you'd like to read about in future issues. |
|
Missed
An Issue?
Here's another chance to read up on topics of interest: |
|
ISSUE |
FEATURE
ARTICLE |
|
August 2006 |
Put Pride In Performance |
| July
2006 |
Stay Motivated During Summer
Doldrums |
|
June 2006 |
Success Entourage |
|
May 2006 |
Introvert? Interested In Sales?
Go For It! |
|
April 2006 |
To Gain Work-Life Balance,
Get A Life |
|
March 2006 |
Bounce Back From Being Bounced |
|
February 2006 |
Emotional Intelligence |
|
January 2006 |
Crank Up Your Career -
Get A Coach This Year |
|
December 2005 |
Holiday Gift Giving |
|
November 2005 |
Coping With Disaster |
|
October 2005 |
Settling For Less |
|
Other 2005 Issues |
|
2004 Issues |
|
2003 Issues |
|
Success!Ezine
E. Carol Webster, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology Consultation
DrCarolWebster.com
954.797.9766
Success!Ezine@DrCarolWebster.com
Disclaimer: The information in this
newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a
substitute for obtaining direct professional help. |
|
