You
have probably heard it said, “Don’t take
it so personally.”
That is certainly a good piece of advice if we are talking about
our inward responses to outward situations. You may have also heard
it said, “Don’t take it personally, but take it seriously.”
That expression is probably closer to a worthwhile philosophy.
In other words, do not let someone’s remarks upset you unduly,
but pay attention to the reason for those remarks. If someone is
trying to point out a problem that you can fix or a situation that
you could have avoided, go ahead and take a close look at the problem
to see if you can recognize what happened and how or why it happened.
Many times we feel that we have no control over the things that
happen to us, but there are a number of things over which we do
have a certain amount of control.
1.
Take personal responsibility for your work assignments.
Be sure that you have all of the supplies and equipment
that you need in order to do the work at hand. Keep up
to date resources and reference books close to your workspace.
Make sure that you understand your part of the work in
progress, and if at any time you have a question about
the work that you are doing, it is always better to seek
answers to your questions than to assume that someone
else will fix it for you. Pay attention to details: spelling,
punctuation, formatting, in-house billing guidelines,
etc. Be familiar with your supervisor’s and your
client’s preferences. Know your deadlines and be
sure to leave enough time for any additions or revisions
that may be required before the work is considered to
be a finished product.
2.
Take personal responsibility for your work relationships.
Cultivate a good working relationship with your supervisors,
your teammates, and your co-workers. Be dependable in
your attendance, be thorough in your work product, and
be an encouraging presence in your department. If you
have contact with the clients, always be sure to make
them feel as special as they truly are. Where would you
be without your clients? When you speak on the telephone,
smile—it will be reflected in your voice. Make
the effort to go the extra mile and help others whenever
you can; you never know when you will need help from
someone in the mailroom, the supply office, the accounting
department, the security office, or the administrator’s
office.
3.
Take personal responsibility for your continued employment.
Be sure that you are aware of your company policies and
procedures and how they affect you and your work. Watch
for opportunities within your company where your contribution
will make a difference. Are you a good proofreader? Volunteer
to take a look in advance at the publications that your
company puts out. Are you a good organizer? Volunteer
to help with recognition celebrations or ceremonies or
special occasion gatherings. Do you have community contacts?
Volunteer to match company employees with charity events
or fundraisers. Find occasions throughout the year to
say good things about your employer, and you will find
that it will make you feel better about your workplace.
4.
Take personal responsibility for your continuing education.
Are there classes or seminars or conferences that offer
education or training which would make you a better employee?
Ask your supervisor or administrator to allow you some
time to attend those events. Are there professional organizations
that are aimed at your particular occupation or career?
See if your company will sponsor your membership and
then make it a habit to attend the regular meetings.
Are there classes at a local college or university that
would add to your personal sense of professionalism?
Enroll. You will not regret it.
5.
Take personal responsibility for your health, safety,
and welfare. You cannot work if you are not at your desk
because you are sick or injured. Make sure that you are
eating right and drinking enough water, especially in
the summer time. If you are under medical care, follow
your doctor’s orders precisely. If you do not feel
well, take an inventory of your symptoms and then make
a decision about whether to seek professional help. Many
company insurance plans provide a toll-free number for
just such an occasion. Be sure to get enough sleep. If
you are dashing around the house every morning because
you slept too late, consider an earlier bedtime. Getting
to sleep late and waking up late can cause you to hurry
around too much to make up lost time, and as a result
of being rushed and feeling hurried, you may find that
you are forgetting things or making poor decisions. Be
careful at work. If you know that you tend to walk quickly,
slow down when you come to the end of a hallway or to
an intersecting path so that you do not run into other
folks. Do not try to lift things that are too heavy.
Watch your posture. Do not let your beverages spill onto
your work or splash on other people. Be sure to watch
where you park and where you walk. Lock your vehicle
and keep your belongings close to you. When you leave
the office, try to walk with a group of other folks if
you can and watch out for suspicious behaviors and circumstances.
6.
Take personal responsibility for your own satisfaction.
What is it that makes you feel like a better, stronger,
and a more confident, competent person? Learn to recognize
your talents and strengths. Learn also to recognize your
deficits and weaknesses. Say yes to the opportunities
that are appropriate for you and say no to those that
would drain your energy and which are, after all, better
suited for someone else. It is better to say no to something
that you really do not want to do than to give the matter
less time and attention than it deserves. Take time to
be with your family and friends and explore new opportunities
to see what other talents and interests you may discover.
Being a well-rounded person will make you a better employee,
a more responsive family member, and a more interesting
friend. Get involved in community activities and become
an encouraging presence in your neighborhood. Follow
your heart and soul in spiritual endeavors and take some
time to help others along the way. There is a story that
has been attributed to an American Indian who was telling
a group of children a tribal tale about the two dogs
that live inside each of us—a good dog and a bad
dog. These dogs are constantly fighting each other and
looking for ways to take control. One of the children
asked which dog is the strongest and the storyteller
replied, “The one that I feed the most.”Lyndie
Hughes, PLS, works as a legal secretary in the Kansas
City, Kansas offices of McAnany, Van Cleave & Phillips,
P.A., a law firm established in 1901. Lyndie has been
a member of the Kansas City Legal Secretaries Association
since 1999 achieving accreditation that same year, and
certification in 2002; she enjoys serving her chapter
in various ways, but especially as an instructor for
the NALS Basic Legal Training Course.
