Life and work is filled with many peaks and valleys, and that’s what makes it so interesting. However, if your work and life are less than ideal, that’s a sure sign that changes are necessary. It is never a good thing to remain in a situation that makes you sad, unhappy and stressed.
Being in Jamaica for close to a month was a less than an ideal situation, but the good thing is that I am here for a specific time period. I now know that when I return to Jamaica to conclude business, I have to operate very differently so that I am less stressed.
I was reminded me of some important lessons and advice that we have written about on The Invisible Mentor Blog:
Master the Fundamentals: Know the ins and outs of your trade and profession, then build on the fundamentals to develop expertise. A painter was referred to us, but shortly after he started working with us, we realized that although he knew how to paint, he didn’t understand the technical aspects of the job, which costs us dearly. He quoted us for two days work, and took five days to complete the work because of his ineptitude.
Two times he ran out of supplies and instead of telling us, he decided to leave the work incomplete. He worked much slower than he should have, and was very tentative in his behavior. The big lesson for us is that even when people are highly recommended, place safeguards in place to ensure that the work gets done. And if possible, test the person’s skill level before the work is started.
Be Flexible: The way people operate in Jamaica, and the way work gets done, is very different from in Canada, and I learned that lesson early on and had to make adjustments. It wasn’t very easy, and many times I was stressed and frustrated, but the switch was necessary. The next time the transition will be easier and smoother.
Make Tough Decisions: Be prepared to make tough decisions and take control. You don’t have to be heavy handed, but if you are facing resistance you have to make a choice. For instance, we kept on hearing that Mrs. Beckford didn’t do things that way, when it is clearly evident that there are more efficient and effective ways of doing things. Although I have not lived in Jamaica for close to 30 years, I had to assert myself and let the contractors know that things are different now. And the good thing is that most people supported us in the tough decisions we made.
Not Everyone Can Manage or Lead: Although the housekeeper worked with my mom for 17 years, we discovered that she needed a lot of direction. We assumed that after all that time she would know exactly what to do, and that was not the case. We had to provide a lot of direction which took a lot of time and added another layer of stress to our lives. The big lesson is although it may be time consuming and stressful, you have to manage and lead people, and give them the support they need to perform their jobs effectively.
Life is never easy, and we have to do the best we can. When your work and life is less that ideal think about the above and do the best you can.
The Great Work of Your Life: A Guide for the Journey to Your True CallingBiology: How Life Works – Standalone book
The Work: Searching for a Life That Matters
