Hannah Sullivan handles Business Development at Pogo, a digital business insurance aggregator with custom products.
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Judas Priest: Breaking The Law
“There I was completely wasting, out of work and down"
“So I might as well begin to put some action in my life”
You probably know what it feels like to be down and out, especially when it comes to work. Maybe you’re having a hard time breaking into a new industry. Maybe you’re between jobs or you were let go. Considering the past few years, you might have a difficult time finding work anywhere.
Many people pride themselves on their work. It can give you purpose. It feels good accomplishing things. Sometimes, it defines people. But when you don’t have that structure, it can feel like you’re not being productive.
So, if you’re feeling like you’re not being productive, start to put some action into your life. Looking for a new job? Study up on the industry. Search LinkedIn to learn about the leadership at a certain company you’re interested in.
Maybe you’re not literally “out of work,” but you’re running low on steam. This can especially happen in business development, as networking and project initiatives can be taxing. But doing new research, and developing new initiatives on how to bring in new business, can be a “recharge” of sorts.
Alice in Chains: No Excuses
“No excuses, then I know”
There really are no excuses. I believe you always have to try. Unless you're ill or injured, you can hunt for some sort of work. Even if you’re feeling lazy, hop on the couch, grab your laptop and check out some jobs. There are a ton of services out there that are always looking for people to help them out—just start searching.
Slipknot: Killpop
“It's so confusing, the methods that she's using”
Let’s say you’re in a new office job and your manager just does not make sense. She’s completely unorganized. She teaches you to do something one way, and the next day she’s telling you to do the task completely differently. It’s beyond frustrating, right?
One thing you can do is speak with your manager and let them know you’d like formal training or a training guidebook. Is there a coworker or mentor you can speak with? Learning how to do something from someone who actually works in the role can be completely different from training with a manager who doesn’t perform the daily workflows.
Pantera: Walk
“Can't you see I'm easily bothered by persistence
One step from lashing out at you”
Ah, coworkers. Open-concept offices are great, but they definitely have their downfalls. Like people who like to chit-chat. Don’t get me wrong, breaks are great. If my headphones are off, and I’m up and about stretching my legs or grabbing coffee, sure! Ask me about my kids and I won’t stop talking. But when I come in at 7:30 a.m. to crank out work before others get there and you happen to be there too, please leave me be!
How can you address this? In this case, you should be blunt. “Oh, sorry! I’m on a call.” “What was that? Got my earbuds on!” If they keep persisting, just have an honest conversation with them explaining that when you’re at your desk, you’d like to focus on work. Nothing personal.
Oh, and definitely try not to lash out at anyone at work. Pantera says “one step” from lashing out. Just keep it there, nothing further!
Sometimes, though, office chat can be beneficial. Not great at it? Here are some tips.
Testament: Practice What You Preach
“You think you got your life completely in control"
Life happens. Right when it seems like things are rolling along smoothly, you hit a bump in the road. Wait, what? A pandemic hit? You’re laying me off? It may not be fair, but sometimes that’s just how things are.
The key when things are out of control is the pivot. Work can be crazy no matter your industry, but as long as you have the ability to be dynamic, you can come out on top.
“You got a lot to learn, the bridge you burned
It's gonna take its toll”
Office drama can happen anywhere. Being respectful in the workplace can be hugely beneficial, regardless of your take on things. You never know when you’ll need help from a co-worker, so it's best not to burn bridges. In the event you change positions, you’ll want to make sure you can count on positive references from your employees, boss or peers.
Iron Maiden: Hallowed Be Thy Name
“Somebody, please tell me that I'm dreaming
It's not easy to stop from screaming
The words escape me when I try to speak
Tears flow, but why am I crying?”
Speaking from experience, crying at work is no fun. Something happens, you’re in too deep and even though you try to rationalize it in a calm manner, you start crying a river.
Take a deep breath. There’s a reason you’re upset, and there’s a way to get through it. If you do feel overcome with emotion, you’ve got two options: 1. Run to the bathroom and hide forever, or 2. Push it deep down inside and never address it again. Just kidding.
If you’re upset at work, that’s okay. Just give yourself some time to gather your thoughts, and then work through the problem. Give yourself a break, and others will too.
Motorhead: Ace of Spades
“You win some, lose some, all the same to me”
Job interviews: some are great, some are a bust. It’s just the nature of the game. Just remember, the right opportunity will come along. Stay calm and confident!
There you have it, folks! From insurance to sales, marketing to biz dev or anything in between, you can find success if you listen to the advice of these rockstars. And remember, you’re one too!
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