Wednesday, August 15, 2007

spiritual disciplines of the office life

this morning as i wound my way into work i found myself thinking about the spiritual disciplines that enable me to sustain, and somedays even succeed at, my job. after logging seven months at my current work site, i'd have to say that steering well clear of office drama is the most important spiritual discipline i practice in the workplace. i don't know about your work site, but ours is always filled with more gossip, petty rivalries and punctured egos than you could stir with a stick.

although i'm not always able to steer clear of the aforementioned career carcinogens most days i'm able to eschew the drama and stay focused on serving my clients and company well. don't get me wrong, i don't consider myself superior to my coworkers nor do i think i'm too good to delve into the daily dramatic fray. i've simply realized that repeating my friend andrew's occupational decree - "i don't do drama." - has saved my sanity on a number of occasions and continues to make my current position viable.

what spiritual disciplines of the office life keep you alive?

8 comments:

Agent B said...

That sounds like a noble and necessary discipline for all. Good topic.

Before Girl said...

drinking enough water.

james said...

Console others more adversely affected by said drama.

exit the building once every 4 hours to clear the head.

occasionally...smoke a cigarette.

Anonymous said...

Take a nice long break in my special "cubicle" every afternoon. I'm kinda partial to the last stall on the left.

Mike Murrow said...

drink more after work than before work...

learn to cuss properly...

berate a sub contractor "just so"

learn how to tell the home owner/client to kiss your ass with out them being certain that is what you are saying...

Dale said...

outstanding topic

i'm not sure what you call it, but in a situation where someone has been slacking off or not performing, i've been saved a number of times by beginning the conversation with "are you ok? if so you don't necessarily have to tell me what it is but I want to make sure you're alright."

Taking this approach has spared me many embarrassing moments to be sure, and it took a few monumental screw ups to get it right...

again...not sure where this falls in terms of a spiritual discipline, but because we spend so much time at work, I think it's important to let your co-workers know that you care...I make it a point to connect face to face with those in my immediate area at least once a day. Work can be miserable when you have no real motivation or anything to look forward to, but finding out about your co-workers kids school play or telling your colleagues about the drywall you hung this weekend can be just the remedy for not wanting to even go into work.

g13 said...

as i've thought through this topic, a couple of more practices have come to mind. in the office space am committed to:

being honest about my faith, but not preaching. providing or pointing people to wise counsel, but not pastoring.

constantly asking to be filled with the Spirit of God so that i can accompany and empower those i serve.

actively eschewing inner office competition and encouraging cooperation.

doing my best to uphold my commitment not to curse and mean it most of the time.

Anonymous said...

I purposefully realize how much I need my coworkers to get the days work done and then thank God.

When I'm weak I snack and ask God for strength.

When I'm overwhelmed with an immense workload I tell myself that I'm doing my best and that it's not a big deal...