How to become a better performer

I was inspired in a newspaper article I have read and want it to share with you for your reflection as well. The article encourages workers/ employees to become a better performer in their organization. It was summarized thru the seven (7) pointers:

1. FOCUS – Do not divide your attention among things. Reduce the junk in your workplace; keep your cellphone hidden; close all unnecessary windows in your desktop to stop you from going against your will of surfing the irresistible Internet.

2. MANAGE YOUR PRIORITIES – List down all the things that need to be done, from most important to least important.

3. MOTIVATE YOURSELF – Motivation doesn’t need to be monetary or material. It becomes a positive reinforcement for individuals and we all know that reinforced behavior will be repeated.

4. RELAX – Take breaks! Have peace of mind. A certain level of stress can enable an individual to perform effectively, but when he reaches a certain point, performance decreases.

5. PRACTICE – Practicing makes an activity almost habitual, therefore, the individual will exert lesser effort to perform this activity.

6. KEEP A HEALTHY BODY AND MIND – Do not mix your personal life with your work life. Eat plenty, your body needs energy to expend. Eating enough foods brings blood to your brain, triggering that marvelous machinery up there. However, eating too much will drain a significant amount of blood to your brain and make you drowsy. Get seven to eight hours of sleep.

7. ENJOY WHAT YOU DO – Even if you really, really do not like it, enjoying what you are doing makes huge difference. Make use of your strengths and capabilities when performing. There’s a saying that “You really will learn to love what you worked hard for”. So brave that job responsibility, put a smile on your face, keep a positive outlook, and just enjoy!
I hope you were also motivated. I’ll bear this in mind especially no. 1… wink-wink :-)

Series of Events

Last Wednesday, I was included as one among the delegates (including our Mayor) to the Presidential Citation Awarding for the streamlining of mayor’s permit in support to the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises at SM Megamall Trade hall 3 wherein Her Excellency Gloria Arroyo will hand over the plaques. I was very lucky to see for the first time the President of the Philippines. It was my first experience and opportunity ever to personally see a President of a country in a 10 meter range! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to capture a picture of her because she was surrounded by security and my cam was borrowed to our cameraman. Tsk tsk... have nothing to show as evidence. I got only this pix after having lunch at Kamayan as Mayor’s treat/ remuneration for the job well done.. Sobrang busog, eat all you can.. And I ate everything.. hehehe


Last Saturday, we headed to a kids salon for Lance haircut. And I’m happy to announce that he no longer cried in the process! As in no extra movements, he sat still. Yehey! Here is his picture with the new do:

Next, hubby and I went to Robinsons to see the Ice Age 3, Dawn of the Dinosaurs movie with Lance and his cousins. Ice Age movies are Lance’ favourite. We were anxious if he won’t cry and be afraid inside the cinema. Initially, we asked permission from the admission counter to go inside the cinema first for trial before buying tickets. Then after couple of minutes hubby went out the cinema and reported that Lance was not frightened inside; however, there was nothing playing in the widescreen and some lights were turned on. Eventually, we decided to pursue the movie, we’ll just go out if he cried - we thought. We are just in time for the showing time. Then the lights were turned off, Lance was quiet and staring at the big screen until the movie begun. I observed him and he was attentively watching the movie! At times he will utter “Mammoth!”, “Manny! (Mammoth’s Name); there were instances of shock when Rudy the white dinosaur and Dino Momma will appear and roar. Despite of that, we did not hear Lance crying or see him frown. Yehey! Another milestone! He enjoyed the movie! At last, we did not spend for nothing! Hubby and I are so happy! We had a meal at Jollibee after watching as usual... We got home fulfilled and proud of our baby.. It’s worth spending for... well done my son.. :-) Love you.. mwuah!

Promotion cum Demotion

Apparently, I'm a dormant blogger in the past weeks. Well, there were changes in the organizational set up of our office. My Supervisor was transferred to another office and was delegated to a new full-time job task. Well, I guess when you're working in a government office personnel movement is quite flexible and unpredictable (permanent positions are not exempted). With that, I am currently appointed as the OIC in our office.

You might congratulate me for this but ironically I was promoted but the corresponding salary did not follow (I'm actually expecting that!). You really don't have a choice - you probably think it doesn't make any sense because we all have our own right to say "No, thanks!" or "Yes, can you increase my salary?". I was not consulted about this. Initially, my Supervisor informed me regarding the "OIC" then I just received my memo of appointment. Well, I guess my silence was interpreted as "Yes, I am accepting it." huhuhu

This was not the first time I was confronted with this kind of situation. 4 years ago (if am not mistaken), my previous Supervisor was also transferred to another office and it was rumored that I will be the acting head because I'm next in rank. Actually in the structure there is still one position level/ salary higher than mine but these personnel are detailed in another office so I was left being next in rank. I was doing their job while they receive the higher pay!!!! Sorry but I can't help to express my grievance. As soon as I knew about me being appointed as the OIC, I immediately e-mailed our then city administrator, who is also our department head, and expressed my sentiments of not wanting that position because of lack of skills. I received a reply saying that my concerns will be considered and referred to the Human Resource Office. As a result, my Supervisor then concurrently managed two divisions but he resides and performing tasks basically in the other office. So, I was tasked to be in-charge of the office, signs some documents in behalf of my supervisor, attends meetings among others - indirectly, it's just the same - am I right? Yet, I'm only receiving a salary grade of 11 (up to present!).

At present, I am facing this big responsibility and would like to try it for the meantime. But most of the time, I doubt if I can really manage the office with three staffs depending on me. Honestly, I am overwhelmed and very thankful for the trust the administration is giving me. However, deep inside me, there is resistance on accepting this. Why? Here are the reasons (in no particular order):

- I am not confident

- I lack managerial skills i.e. planning, sound decision-making, conducting staff meetings, participating management meetings

- I am not a good speaker

- I’m quite slow thinker and stuttered when pressured and in front of people

- I do not ultimately know the mandate of our office because it is not yet established (it’s supposed to be performing internal audit services)

- I don’t look professional

- I am not happy

- I am not that committed (sama ko ba?)

- I’m quite lazy (sama ko talaga?!)

- I have inferiority complex being with the managers and supervisors (or I think of myself as inferior)

- I don’t have the absolute courage

- I have low stress tolerance

- I am detailed-oriented which causes delay at times

Am I stupid or what? I was given this opportunity yet I am hesitant to grab it or should I say I already grabbed it but thinking of dropping it off. Crazy enough?! Bo Sanches’s book “Simplify Life” reads… We give 60% of our waking time to our jobs. If we’re unhappy with our jobs, that makes us unhappy 60% of our lives! To simplify our lives, we need to find what we love doing and get paid for it. We need to find out what our passion is and connect it with our jobs.

I know that all of my reasons are psychological (am I right?). Maybe I just don’t realize and recognize my strengths and capabilities because some people can’t believe that I am not confident about myself. It’s just that the nature of our work requires a competent, tough and independent leader. Am I qualified to the position with this kind of attitude? I know you may simply answer “Change the attitude!” but it’s really not easy struggling with your own self. Consistency is another thing. You may ask what is it that you love or wanted to do – I love being at home serving my family and putting up a bakery shop, if possible. I thought of submitting my resignation but due to financial crisis/constraints it gives me no choice to stay and face the reality which makes me upset. I just hope I could overcome this attitude and have the ultimate courage to move on.