The View from my Window...
by Jean Gatz, CSP

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Sitting at my desk in my newly remodeled office, I have a fabulous view of the world outside my window. And it`s QUITE a window- measuring 6 feet tall and 9 feet wide! Why am I telling you about my new window? We all enjoy some parts of our jobs more than others. I love to travel to new places to present keynotes and workshops and make new friends. But I don`t enjoy the days when I`m in the office feeling "trapped" at my computer terminal. Since I can`t eliminate that part of my job, I found a way to make my job more enjoyable by adding my "window wall." I`m not going to describe the view, because I want you to imagine what you would see outside your "window wall" if you could create one.

I mentioned feeling trapped sometimes. Do you ever feel "trapped" in your job- like you`re doing the work of several people? With fewer resources? On a tighter budget? With a demanding time schedule? Are you worried about restructuring and downsizing? Dealing with difficult coworkers and with customers who don`t appreciate you? Have you noticed that, although you`re getting enough sleep and exercise, and eating healthy, you still don`t have the energy you need to do your job well? Has your comfortable job become boring ?

Maybe you can`t knock out a wall and replace it with a window. You may not be able to remodel your workplace, but you can remodel your attitude. Begin by finding some creative ways to put more joy back into your life. What do you do for recreation-for fun-something that is just for YOU? When I ask audience members why they`re no longer doing the things they used to enjoy, they always answer, in unison: "Not enough time." We`re all busy people. But no matter how busy we are, we can make time to do something that brings us great joy and helps us recreate the spirit we need to come to work every day and give our best. And some of that spirit and passion is sure to spill over into our personal lives as well. The possibilities are endless. The task is up to you. Your own window--of opportunity-- awaits!