nanherlihen

My insights on life and a happy workplace

Pork Chop Season November 15, 2011

Filed under: Phenomenon,Smile — nanherlihen @ 10:35 pm
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Well we are at the half way mark of what I have labelled Pork Chop Season and true to form the “Pork Chops” are out and about.

So what is Pork Chop Season I hear you ask?

I have been in HR for many years and have observed a phenomenon that occurs at the end of the year and peaks in November that I have labelled Pork Chop Season.  It is the period where we are tired, out of patience and feel as though the end of year break just can’t come quickly enough. It’s when all the unrealistic deadlines culminate and it feels as though it just all has to get done now!

With all the pressures and no patience in reserves we start to see the ugly side of humanity.

I would suggest that unless we acknowledge the phenomenon of Pork Chop Season, that we are all capable of unleashing the “Pork Chop” within.

I have compiled some tips to help us all in the midst of Pork Chop Season –

  • Readjust
    If you feel the pressure of culminating deadlines know that everything doesn’t stop at the end of the year, life keeps on going, you can readjust. Learn the art of planning in the new year.
  • Take a breath
    Take a breath before you have a meltdown or have a go at someone. Remember that your patience levels are depleted, taking a breath may avoid the regrettable venture into “Pork Chop” behaviour.
  • Be understanding
    Understand that everyone is probably in the same boat and that behaving like a “Pork Chop “ will not necessarily reap any rewards, rather it will perpetuate the phenomenon.
  • Be positive
    Smile and focus on the positive, it’s infectious.

I hope you find my tips are helpful and I hope that you are surviving Pork Chop Season. With a bit of luck, if we spread the word, we could help to eliminate Pork Chop Season all together by being supportive, positive and nice to each other everyday of the year.

 

A Scientist’s Smile October 17, 2011

Today the NHMRC announced it’s successful grant recipients for 2012 and I was lucky enough to be present when one of our scientists was given the news that they were successful.

I was fortunate enough to be present and what I witnessed was inspiring. A normally reserved individual who is normally observed looking focused and quite serious now beamed with pride. The smile was moving and his eyes told of his excitement at the news. You could tell he was relieved to know that his work could continue. He had just been acknowledged by his peers and received continued funding, funding that would support and ensure that his exceptional work could continue. His lab in fact had achieved the perfect result of 3 out of 3 grants, a fact that kept that smile beaming all that much longer.

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