Edit: I fixed the links. I still advocate being sure you find ways to recharge your batteries and find fulfillment outside of work.
Originally posted October 7, 2008 on AIXchange
How do you manage to accomplish all of the items on your daily to-do list? With the documentation that needs to be written, meetings to attend and new things to learn–not to mention the proverbial fires that flare up and must be put out–it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by it all.
We all have unique methods of prioritizing. Maybe you make a formal list, or maybe you just respond to the loudest user. Certainly what IT professionals do from day to day is worthwhile. But while we work hard, we also need to make sure we’re working smart.
Thomas J. Watson Sr., the president of IBM over four decades in the early 20th century, simply told people to think.
In his renowned self-help book, Stephen R. Covey tells people to sharpen the saw.
Whatever you call it, be sure you do take the time to step back, see the big picture, and look for ways to do things better. Are your scripts the best they can be? Do you notice the same devices failing, or the same people calling for help? Have you tried to identify trends in your problem reports, or are end users finding and solving problems before you even know about them?
Step away from your job now and again and recharge. Burning yourself out doesn’t help anyone. I regularly meet people who insist that if they take a vacation, their workplace will fall apart. But if you truly feel that way, then you probably haven’t documented your job duties and/or trained others to fill in for you. Of course, in smaller shops it can be tricky finding people to backfill you, but there’s always someone who can learn the critical aspects of what you do.
So stop. Think. Work smart, but don’t forget to take time for other things. Go outside. Take a walk. It’s surprising what may come to you.