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Work is killer
Standfirst:
Work should be balanced with life. Find the right mix this year with Victor Koh, a trainer and worklife strategy consultant from Brainergy Internationa,l and HPB’s tips for leading a balanced life.
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This just in: on Friday, November 30, 2007, Japan Today reported that a “threejudge panel found that Kenichi Uchino died Feb 9, 2002, at age 30 after working about 106 hours of overtime in one month until the day before his death.” Chilling words to read at the start of a new year. But oh, it happens. So often, that the Japanese even have a word for it "karoshi”. Karoshi usually refers to acute heart failure following high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, or a cerebral haemorrhage, and investigations revealed that Kenichi had indeed “died of heart failure.” The Defence Council for Victims of Karoshi (yes, there’s one in Japan, because ‘karoshi’ is not recognised under insurance schemes) found that karoshi usually seems to occur in workplaces which exhibit two factors: strenuous mental effort, and endless deadlines. Stress too, is built up when employees work independently, and to their own initiative, without any assistance from colleagues. As we look ahead, and our economy (and living standards) begins to approach Japan’s, karoshi should give us some pause for thought. Can we continue to spend more time, or even as much time, as we did last year at work? Is increasing overtime, like burgeoning prices and inflation, an inescapable fact of life?
Achieving worklife balance According to the Happy Planet Index compiled by the British thinktank New Economics Foundation, amongst Asian nations, Vietnam came in highest at number 12 amongst 178 countries, and Singapore was ranked lowest at 131.
Why so unhappy? After all, unlike Boxer, the dimwitted horse in Animal Farm, surely our clever people here have solutions to productivity that are more than just “I’ll work harder”? Telecommuting Worklife strategy, according to Victor Koh, is “what an employer does to create a more flexible and supportive work environment, so that employees are able to focus on their jobs while at their job.” Most officebound jobs require a computer, and with the advent of nationwide broadband internet access and home ownership of computers, it’s no longer necessary for the whitecollar worker to always be in the office. One way for employers to help employees to achieve worklife balance is to allow them the flexibility of working from home – a form of flexible work arrangement also known as telecommuting, or simply, working from home. What makes a good telecommuter? Victor says that “telecommuting is a flexible work arrangement that allows you to carry out all or part of your work at a location away from the conventional office. This can be in the comfort of your home, a nearby satellite office or a neighbourhood work centre.” There are certain jobs/tasks that are well suited for telecommuting. These are:
Projectoriented work Graphics designers, architect, accountants Computer programming Telemarketing Planning & scheduling Data processing and analysis Writers, Reading, word processing and thinking
Additionally, these jobs should have performances that are easy to measure, while requirements for special workrelated information, inhouse equipment and facetoface interaction should be minimal.
So if your job fits any of these criteria and you’ve been putting in too much overtime, you might want to suggest to your boss that you are better off working from home at least part of the time! Keep stress at bay Additionally, the Health Promotion Board has these pointers to recommend for keeping your stress away at work as part of their National Healthy Lifestyle Campaign ’07. Learn to value yourself No, we don’t mean spending $200 on a pair of designer shoes. But rather, give yourself a pat on the back for your positive attributes instead of dwelling on your shortcomings. Be confident of your abilities and resist the urge to underestimate yourself. You may have made mistakes but learn from them and most importantly, learn to move on in the New Year! Recognise your strengths and limitations No one’s perfect. What really helps is the tried and proven method of making a list and checking it twice. List your strengths and weaknesses. You can gain deep insight about yourself and understanding of what motivates you. This can empower you to live a more balanced life in the New Year. Stay close to your loved ones Everybody needs emotional support so staying close to family and friends can help to positively impact your emotional wellbeing. Being honest about your feelings helps to keep the communication lines open and can sometimes give you a peek into what’s really bothering you. Manage your time effectively The term “time management” has been bandied around so often that we sometimes forget what it really means. Learn to manage your time effectively. It can go a long way in minimising stress and tension. ∙ Prioritise the tasks you need to do. ∙ Instead of worrying about things that have changed or are beyond your control, move on! ∙ Don’t forget to set aside time for yourself to do the things you enjoy.
Set realistic goals In other words, get real! It is important to set goals that are attainable so that you’re not actually setting yourself up to fail. The way to do it is to break down your goals into small, more manageable steps. This way, your goal will seem less overwhelming and easier to accomplish. So, whether or not it’s work or play, setting realistic goals can help keep your spirits up and motivate you to move forward. Look after your body Eat, rest and exercise well and you will realise the positive impact on your mental wellbeing. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet. This will not only keep your body in tip top condition, but will also help to regulate your moods so that you feel better. All you need is 30 minutes a day, five times a week to keep your spirits up. If that sounds like too much to begin with, commit to a more realistic goal and keep to it. Ensure that you’re sufficiently rested; you are better equipped to manage challenging situations when you are alert!
Chill out! Take up a hobby Taking up a pasttime stimulates your mind and gives you time out from the daily demands of home and office. So, whether it is learning a new language or instrument, dancing or playing golf, pick up a hobby in the New Year and chill out! Have a great year ahead!