How to Succeed at Work

I've been going through a rough transition at work. I was lucky enough to keep my job when I got engaged and knew I would be moving 9 hours from home, and have been working in a regional position. I've gone back to campus three times this fall, for Open House events and board meetings, and that's been nice. I've also traveled a lot for work, driving to the cities though, rather than flying.

But, I've had a hard time working alone. My home office is lovely - I have two huge windows to let in natural light, I have a simple and clean work space, and with no one popping in throughout the day, I get a tremendous amount of work done. But, I miss the lunch time trips to Subway, the ability to just walk next door and ask a question in person, and look at the hard copy of an application if I want/need to.

Words of Affirmation is one of my top Love Languages, and I have been frustrated that my supervisors haven't been affirming me as much as I would like. Being regional, I depend on that positive feedback even more than I did before, and I was growing frustrated and feeling neglected at the lack of their attention.

Until I realized, I'm only doing what's expected of me.

My swim coach in college used to say all the time "You want me to praise you? Do something that exceeds my expectations. Showing up on time and doing what's asked of you doesn't deserve praise - going above and beyond does." It's tough, I know, but it's true.

I work hard at my job, I do, but I'm not doing anything that isn't in my job description. I want a pat on the back for my phone calling each week, but I'm on track with the recommended 5 calls a day. I want a round of applause for traveling to Atlanta in December to drum up more applications, but I only went because I was asked. I want commended for reading so many applications a week, when I'm reading my own and helping only when I'm asked. 

I used to pride myself as someone who took initiative constantly and employed an "I got it" attitude. But recently I've fallen into a rut, doing what I have to in order to get by.

If you want to really impress your boss and those around you, I believe you have to exceed their expectations. Be the person they can't imagine the office without. 

What do you think? Do any of you work from home and have advice on other ways I can improve my own morale?

Airplane Etiquette

I travel a lot for work - primarily in the fall and in the spring. I'm so lucky to have a job that lets me see the country and spend time traveling to all kinds of places.

However, I hate people who have no travel manners. The way I see it, there are some cardinal rules that should never be broken:

• The armrest should be put down, and you should be respectful of the people next to you. There is nothing worse than someone "flowing over" into your seat, or worse, getting too close to your personal space.
• The plane should be unloaded row by row. If you are concerned about making a connection, you should approach the flight attendant before your flight leaves to let them know you'll be cutting it close. There is nothing worse than people running down the middle aisle to get off the plane first. We're all anxious to unload as well.
• If you stored things in overhead storage, you should store it so you can grab it as quickly as possible when exiting. You fussing over your bag only makes everyone else antsy - bottle necks are no fun.
• If you are a gentlemen, you should offer to help women load their suitcases. I can't tell you how many times I've flown with a bag heavier than I can hoist over my head and wrestle to get it into an overhead compartment well over my head. It's call chivarly and it doesn't stop when you board an airplane.
• If you're asked to switch seats, especially if family members would like to fly together, do it! I would bet it's no inconvenience to you, every time I've switched the flight staff have treated me to a drink, and it's making someone else's experience that much better.  If you have that much of a preference of where you sit, it would probably be worth it to just shell out the money for first class. Problem solved.
• When you're walking between gates, and need to walk slower, walk on the outside of the halls. If you need to send a text message, check a departure time, wait for someone, step to the outside of the hall to stop - don't simply stop in the middle of the walkway.
• If you choose to take a moving sidewalk, but are standing, keep your belongings close to you and stay to the right! Those of us in a hurry need to squeeze past you on the left and don't want to worry about our bags getting tangled in yours.

Can you tell I'm stuck in an airport now on a layover? My first flight was delayed, but a friend from high school's Mom works at our airport and fixed my connecting flight so I would have time between. I take off as the Duke basketball game begins, so I'll miss most of it, but such is life. (If they play as poorly as they did on Thursday I'll be happy to miss it.)

What are some of your traveling rules? What bugs you the most?

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The To-Do List

With a job like Admissions, I wear several different hats. I am the supervisor of the Hostessing Program and work with student workers. I am a recruiter, not only traveling to visit students, but also assisting them through the application process. I am an Admissions Officer, reading applications and making decisions about whether or not to admit a student. I am a Financial Aid Officer, working with a student to navigate her financial aid package and find supplemental scholarships.

My supervisors don't believe in micro-managing (lucky me!) so that leaves me entirely responsible for getting tasks done and staying on top of deadlines. Many people struggle with this, but after balancing academics, athletics, and social activities in college, I have found methods that work best for me.

I'm a list maker.

I like being able to visualize what I need to get done. Although sometimes I can find the list daunting and overwhelming, I almost always find that once I sit down and begin to accomplish tasks, they get done faster than what I think. I am always making lists -- what to do at work, what to do at home, what needs to be done before the weekend, what needs to get packed, what needs to get purchased, what bills need to get paid... I try to keep these lists consolidated to one location, but sometimes they end up all over the place. But, nothing feels better than looking at a page of chores crossed off your list.

In the past, I've kept small notebooks in my purse so I could take notes whenever I needed. For example:

The Pixel Journal from Kate Spade - $28 

I would jot down recipes I saw in magazines, made reminders for myself, wrote down phone numbers and email addresses, and always had paper available to toss out old gum or give my information to others. I've accumulated many over the past couple of years and keep them on my bookshelf. They are decorative and cute much longer after I'm writing in them.

I've never been very good about using my phone - although the Reminders app on my iPhone is helpful. It's too easy for my phone not to be around, or charged, or without service and honestly, I still have a phobia that it'll shut down "Revolution" style and I'll be stranded without my schedule for the day.

Most recently, I've been using my Lilly Pulitzer planner. I can jot down appointments, goals, and countdowns on appropriate days, keep running lists, and of course, it's so cute!

Large Agenda from Lilly Pulitzer - $26

My personal strategy is to alternate between daunting tasks and easy tasks. I'll knock out a bigger project I've been avoiding, then do a mindless simple task. It helps keep my motivation up and gives lots of breaks during the day. Best of luck to you!