The 4th. Day

For the majority of employees and management, the first full day back to work in 2010 was January 4th. For many this was a mini cultural shock. Over the past couple of weeks working days have been a little different for almost everyone.

For some, in say the retail sector, the days have been both long and hectic. Many hours were spent restocking shelves and/or cleaning them up from the total disruption caused by the previous day’s shoppers. For many of these folks there were few “holiday” days. Even those few days were not in succession but spaced out.

For others in say the manufacturing sector, the last couple of weeks have been a combination of regular activities along with activities to coordinate shut down for one; two or more successive days. Some may have had to work as part of a skeleton staff maintaining equipment functions; furnaces; etc.

Still others in the corporate and administrative sectors have had a different experience over the past few weeks. Perhaps it was days of leaving a bit early, say noon on the 24th. or perhaps noon to about three p.m. on the 31st. It may have been a case where significant projects were put on hold for a variety of reasons.

Academics had yet another set of experiences over the past few weeks. Students were not attending regular classes. Some academics were totally free from responsibilities during this period. Others were kept busy with getting everything ready for the next semester or completing of reports on successes during the last semester.

Regardless of the sector you belong to, the fourth day of January for the majority of us marked the first full day back to the activity we left behind just a short time ago. If history is any indicator, the majority, if not 100% of the tasks performed will be done exactly as they were before this short hiatus.

However, perhaps we need to look no further than the common phrase exchanged just the past 4 – 5 days: HAPPY NEW YEAR. This should tell us something. It is a “NEW YEAR”. This is an excellent time to try out something new. To look at our circumstances in a new way. To look at our jobs and our daily activities in a new way.

Many made new years resolutions to lose weight; be more active; be more involved with our family; etc. However, did you make a new years resolution to be more productive, more efficient, and more effective in what you do for a living? If not, why not?

Think of this as your opportunity to start both a new year and a new century with a new perspective. With a new plan for success. With a new level of enthusiasm. The time to do something about it is now, while the year is still new.