The other day I posted a video titled “Why You Can’t Work at Work” and it started me thinking about how I handle my work day and other work (i.e. writing mostly) that I do while at home. (I recommend you spend the six minutes needed to watch this video for some great advice.)
This morning two more articles about how we work also grabbed my attention.
The first is on “The Importance of Buffers”. The idea that the moment you get to work you have to immediately dive right in to the first thing on your to-do list has always bothered me a little. Lately, I’ve been arriving at my office about 15 minutes early due to changes in how I get to work. In the past I felt that since I was at work I should get at it. Lately I’ve sat down, pulled a book out of my bag, (one that has absolutely nothing to do with libraries, computers, or the Internet,) and read for a few minutes to sort of wake my mind up. Then, at the “official” start of my shift I get my computers (yes, computers) booted up, logged in, and fire up Outlook. I check to see if there’s anything that needs to be read immediately and then I go make my coffee. I’ve built in a morning buffer and I seem to be much more productive for it.
The second article, “Reality Breakdown: Raises on Lowered Budgets?” has to do with how to get a “raise” in these tough economic times. (Note to my superiors, I’m not looking for one, it just got me thinking.) In this article Michelle Burleson notes that a raise doesn’t have to be monetary. Some of her alternative suggestions include a more flexible schedule, telecommuting, and a job title change among others. On first glance, some of these might not seem as beneficial or even possible depending on the library your in but let’s thing about one in particular: a title change.
Think about your current title and your long term career goals. The next time you apply for a job, would you rather have your previous job title listed as “Librarian II” or “Technology Innovation Librarian”? Which sounds more impressive? Which is more likely to catch a potential employers eye?
So, when this year’s evaluation comes around, and you know that there is absolutely, positively, no raise in the forecast, why not consider asking for something that won’t actually cost your library anything but will still benefit you?
