Already half way through January!
Yes – we’re already half way through January !
Calendar 14 Jan 2019
So, we got through 2018 – we’re already half way through January 2019 – what have we done to change the way we think or do things? Well, so far, not much. The New Year started with the inevitable colds, coughs and after we all discussed our celebrations it was back to the norm. But should that be the case – no – it’s time to plan the year, learn from the past, head to the future, make some changes.
- Evaluate
Take a step back and have a long hard look at what you do, how you do it and how it could be done better, faster, more efficiently or even more enjoyably. Look at what the company has achieved in the last year and discuss what aspirations you all have for the coming year.
- Focus on Health
Yes, I know, we all make promises to ourselves every New Year – we will diet, exercise, etc., etc., most of us, even if we start a regime we don’t keep it up. That’s mainly because the regime is too vigorous or too demanding, or the expectations are too high. So, make it easy on yourself and set realistic goals. Move every 15 minutes, even if it’s to collect work from the photocopier, use the stairs, empty the bin while you are up, avoid more than 15 minute straight stints at the screen. Stand rather than sit for certain tasks, just move and eat sensibly, no crash diets, no ridiculous fad diets, little by little, small changes add up and once results are seen it’s easy to continue or even up the effort. Use your lunch time to get outside, grab some fresh air, clear your head
- Grow your network
Make friends, mix with like minded people, take time out to unwind but perhaps do it learning from other engineers/colleagues or even competitors.
- Research or start a project
Just spending time researching an interesting topic can help with either relaxation or even planning a new project or re-kindling an old one.
- Clear out
Yes, everyone says it but do we all do it? Clear out physical and mental clutter with the same rules and gusto. Clear distractions to improve overall working efficiency. Do filing!!! Yes, we all hate it but how much quicker we can work if we can find what we need !!
- Learn something
Anything !!! When you always ask someone to do something (because you don’t know how to do it yourself) – learn how to do it. What about investing in some new software and learning how to use it to your advantage. This could be the year !!
- Make changes to routine/procedures
Do you always do things in the office the same way – are there better ways. Could inventing an online form or template help with administration, speeding up a process and bringing everyone into line using the same routines? Some simple changes can drastically improve productivity.
- Use the right people for the right job
If a member of staff has a certain skill ensure the workflow utilises this skill – don’t expect others to struggle with something that one person can do in the blink of an eye, use staff/skills better!!
- Excite yourself and the workforce
Not easy sometimes but again, as with diets and exercise, small changes can bring big improvements, encourage coffee break activity/chat, etc., in larger organisations a newsletter or interactive activity can be beneficial, a quiz, a competition. Just the act of chatting around the kettle can improve workers feelings about the company and ideas can be dropped into conversation without formal meetings and thoughts can be gathered. Find out what the workers expect from the coming year too.
- Interact
With staff, with competitors, with suppliers, with social media, get yourself out there !!
So – when you’re already half way through January – make plans for the rest of the year and go, go, go !
See our Latest News for information on any planned open-days or exhibitions we will be visiting or any we are having a stand – i.e. Mach2020
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