Professional Swagga: Work Smarter, Not Harder.... Part 2

We love it!!!! This is the time of year when most people seem to be the most focused...use your energies to jump-start that project you've been too lazy to begin. Don't let sloth thwart the big plans and goals you have for yourself. And DEFINITELY don't let anyone else's baggage bring you down!! That being said, see the below article and read principles that can be applied to any aspect of your life...treat others how you want to be treated and great things come to unselfish people!!

Avoiding these seven deadly sins will also help individuals balance their "whole life" and assure they are ready to take on new workplace challenges as they are presented -- and execute them well.

Peter Drucker, the famed management author, guru, and teacher said it best: "Lifting a person's vision to higher sights, is the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard." Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes.

Seven Deadly Workplace Sins
At least seven "deadly workplace sins" detail key emotional offenses professionals should avoid at all costs to better assure upward career mobility. A few common sense tips will help aspiring pros get on the path to the ever-elusive paycheck promise land.
Pride
First, there's pride. Far too many who experience "workplace wins" take full credit for these achievements, regardless of any support or assistance received in the process. What often goes unrecognized is that people around, and especially below, the serially solo-successful resent the egocentricity, and may actually begin to actively undermine that person's efforts in the future. While one's pride wants all due recognition, a team philosophy can build the grass-roots support that can fast-track a career. Indeed, a dose of acknowledgment of and appreciation for one's peers and subordinates, so they may share in some of the glory, can go a long way to foster one's long-term success.
Envy
Moreover, while it's OK to recognize other individuals or organizations as they achieve, lamenting "what should have been yours" can be destructive and can adversely impact your own ability to focus on the job tasks at hand. Becoming envious of others in the workplace can sabotage your self esteem, which is one vital characteristic of every successful worker or executive. Rather than being envious, let the accomplishments of others become motivational fuel for your fire in working toward your own successes.
Anger
Anger is another motion that needs to be held in check. Begetting nothing but disagreement, dispute, tension or conflict, anger provides no benefit in the workplace. There is simply nothing productive about anger, which impairs one's objectivity, poise and self control. Don't let a bout of righteousness damage your reputation and image in the workplace. It's fine to feel passionately about your job or a project at hand and to disagree with others, but learn how to channel those emotions into actions that will work to your benefit in the eyes of others -- especially your superiors -- rather than against it. Those prone to angry outbursts rarely get promoted; they are seen as being poor leaders who cannot inspire or motivate others.
Short-sightedness
One's selfish desire for "more, sooner" is what motivates many in the Western culture to achieve their career goals. But taking this notion to the extreme can and will be self defeating as core values become misguided and life becomes unbalanced in the process. The road to success requires a long term approach in all aspects of one's job duties. Those laser-focused on quick, short-term gains may do well for the moment, but will be ill-prepared to take things to the next level.
Complacency
At the other end of the spectrum, sloth, or simply put, complacency and laziness have no place whatsoever in the workplace -- especially for those with high aspirations. Expecting one's past achievements and successes to carry them forward in their long-term career is imprudent. Today's uber-competitive global marketplace ensures that only those who continue to grow, evolve and make fresh contributions of value will succeed. In a global environment where outsourcing is becoming a norm, everyone at all levels of the employment "food chain" is now replaceable. So treat every work day and every project as if your job, and your future at large, depends on it. It very well may
Imbalance
Many individuals move up the corporate ladder so fast that they actually end up failing as a consequence. More isn't always better -- especially if you're not ready for the challenge at hand. It's important to ensure that you are not only professionally ready to take on a new and bigger challenge, for which expectations are equally bigger, but also that your personal life is ready for the new demands and strains to be placed upon it. Achieving career success also includes maintaining a life balance, and a misplaced professional desire can create a backlash both at home as well as amid peers for your perceived obsessiveness.
Lust
At times this can spill over to lust. An overly intense desire for what others have achieved at work, or being chronically dissatisfied with one's own status, is a surefire career killer. Spending an inordinate amount of time fixated on what you don't have rather than what you do will foster a bad attitude and negative overall demeanor.

Above all, one's overall "presence" in the office plays a big part in who gets promoted and who doesn't. No matter how ambitious, it's prudent to be present and make the most out of your current position at this moment in time. Organizations recognize and reward those with a good attitude who make the most of a situation. Winners recognize other's success with sportsmanlike conduct, while at the same time exhibiting an air of confidence that they, and their team, will realize their own great achievements.

John McKee, founder and president of BusinessSuccessCoach.net, is the author of "Career Wisdom - 101 Proven Strategies to Ensure Workplace Success" and "21 Ways Women in Management Shoot Themselves in the Foot

Critic's Corner
"When to know you are not wanted"
This personally happened to someone I know. They tried to enter a certain establishment downtown close to College Street on a Friday night(we won't name any names, but the old MYTHOS) only to be turned away each and every time. The excuses are so weak. Examples: horizontal lines on shirt that represent hip hop, the short sleeve coming down to elbow, pant's legs too long, and the list goes on.......How hard it is for a neat urban man to enter into the establishment? Is the money not good enough or is it our culture? Email us and give us your experiences in Uptown Charlotte's hottest nightspots.
When culture clashes.........

Word of Week
caterwaul \KAT-uhr-wawl\, intransitive verb:
1. To make a harsh cry. 2. To have a noisy argument. 3. A shrill, discordant sound.

For those of us keeping count, it's now Hillary-3 (NV, NH, FL), Obama-2 (IA, SC).

Super Tuesday is next week, February 5, unfortunately NC is not participating; 24 other states will be holding primaries or caucuses on that date. Keep yourself informed, no matter who you find yourself endorsing...

PS Preferred HOT spots

Check out the only spot in the city that features poetry and a live band every week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. JC the poet, of Touch One Productions, has been putting on this show for the last 7 years and is one of the best-known performers in Charlotte. Check out the website, www.touchoneproductions.com, and don't forget to go down to the Wine Up on 3306 N. Davidson Street, we promise you won't regret it!

$20 ROLLER SETS!!!! Ladies come out to the all new "Relax Experts". They are now open!!!!!!! Located 4820 Monroe Rd (Eastway and Sharon Amity). This classy salon has all the upgrades including Wireless Internet on the property. Special for the first week of February: "BRING A FRIEND AND RECEIVE 1/2 OFF YOUR SERVICE" (only for equal or greater value) Call Darrin at 704-309-0648.

Wednesday, January 30th

Black Business Network @ Allure - 1508 Mint St - "Female Entrepreneur in the Queen City"

Thursday, January 31th