The Worker Bee

The Worker Bee phase is that time in a woman's life when she learns to hold on to a level of responsibility critical for success while also saying, "to hell with everything" on occasion. But she doesn't learn this lesson of balance overnight. It only comes after many days of drudgery, weekends starting at a computer screen, and several missed vacations. Only after she pushes herself to the limit repeatedly does she realize she can't live like a workaholic maniac forever. Then she takes steps to improve her quality of life. But until she comes to this realization, she works hard, plays rarely and carries the weight of responsibility on her shoulders.

If you've been a Worker Bee in your past or you are now, you know that being one is no field day. The urge to do everything well can drive a girl to stay awake around the clock for weeks on end even if she's battling pneumonia. When you're in Worker Bee mode, you'll do whatever you can to check off the duties on your enormous task list, even if getting things done comes at the expense of your health and sanity.

While being diligent and responsible are respectable attributes, a Worker Bee takes her need to achieve one step too far, pushing herself to the limit every day. Review the following characteristics of the Worker Bee to determine if you share any of her habits and needs.

*The Worker Bee Is Just a Tad Bit Too Diligent
*The Worker Bee Is Afraid to Take Time Off
*The Worker Bee Helps Anyone Who Asks
*The Worker Bee Wants to Do Everything Perfectly
*The Worker Bee Looks Worn Out
*The Worker Bee Likes Structure & Control
*The Worker Bee Spreads Herself Too Thin
*The Worker Bee Knows She Needs a Change

Taking a Time-Out
Commit to memory these 10 workplace tips, which you can apply on the job every day. they will help you ditch the madness of the Worker Bee phase for good and have a more relaxed state of mind all the time, even when life gets hectic.

TEN TIPS FOR WORKPLACE SANITY
1. Find the Easy Way Every Day: find out exactly what you need to do and determine the easiest way to do it so you never overwork and overstress about a task.

2. Give "No" a Go: the Worker Bee thinks if she says "no" to a project, people will think she's lazy and the world will crumble. Sometimes this inability to say "no" carries over into other parts of her life too. You'll find that the more often you say "no," the easier it gets, and people do listen. You'll find that the world won't fall apart, and soon you'll wish you'd been saying no all along. Not to mention, you'll have a lot more time and energy for the things you do take on and you'll perform better.

3. Mimic the One Who Works and Has Fun: the hardest thing for the Worker Bee to realize is that she will actually do better on the job if she learns to give herself a break once in awhile. To get over this "I'll end up a labeled a loser if I slack" mentality, find a role model who has achieved balance in her life.

4. Say "To Hell with the Cell": electronic devices have enabled the Worker Bee to take her projects everywhere. Though a cell phone is outstanding if you're using it to coordinate cocktail hour with friends, it should not be ringing with work-related tasks during your vacation or over the weekend.

5. Take a Day to Get Away: if you carry over vacation time every year, kick yourself and put an end to it. Always take a day you have coming to you, and call in sick once in a while too.

6. Toss a Crappy Boss: sometimes a boss is a Worker Bee, and there's absolutely nothing you can do to change that. If you have a workaholic boss, she will not understand your need to live a balanced life. Ditch her immediately, even if it means leaving your job for a better one or changing departments. Working for people who respect your personal life and have a life of their own is crucial to being happy on a daily basis.

7. Don't Feel Bad for Getting Mad: a Worker Bee sometimes feels guilty for asserting herself. Whether she's stating that a task is unnecessary, asking an underling to do something, or speaking up with her ideas in a meeting, she views herself as being bitchy or angry. NEVER feel bad for being assertive, speaking your mind and putting your foot down if someone is dumping work on you.

8. Know the Power of One Hour: you don't have to go across the globe to feel like you've taken a vacation. Leave it all behind on the weekend by driving just one hour from where you live. That's all it takes to gain perspective and feel relieved of the daily grind.

9. Be Bold and Ask for the Gold: a Worker Bee often spends endless hours toiling away but doesn't feel adequately compensated for her work. Remember that your job is a partnership with you employer - you work for the company and it owes you compensation for what you do. Don't wait for someone to notice that you are worthy; speak up and ask for a raise or promotion.

10. Put "You" Before What You Do: the word "selfish" has a bad rap, but being selfish can be a really good thing for a Worker Bee. She, more than anyone, needs to put her own needs first.

When you make these 10 workplace tips a part of you daily life, they will help you put distance between yourself and your work even when you're sitting in the office w/a phone ringing in your ear. You'll be able to relax more often and you'll feel that you have the right to speak up, set priorities and leave at a decent hour. But you still might have to remind yourself regularly that you deserve a break. So keep these 10 tips pinned up nearby, and remember how important it is to find that middle ground between beach bum and bonkers: balance!