September 07
Being ZEN AT WORK With Technology

In This Month's Issue
Thought For The Day
Did You Know?
30-Second Stress Buster
News And Offers

Thought For The Day
"Information technology should mean more time for family and friends, not more time for more work!"

Did You Know?

• In 1834 Charles Babbage designed the Analytical Engine, the precursor of the computer? He was unable to obtain funding for it from the government, who thought it would be worthless. In 1998, the Science Museum in London, UK, built a working replica of the Babbage machine, using the materials and work methods available at Babbage's time. It worked just as Babbage had intended.
• A survey of workers in Sydney and Adelaide has shown that one in three suffers from 'tech rage'. The survey showed that computer crashes, spam emails and 24-hour access via mobile phones and other communication devices are among the major sources of frustration. Respondents felt that they were compelled to be more efficient, technologically savvy and always available for colleagues, clients, family and friends.

You've probably heard the old saying of counting to 10 before you say anything? Well, there is good basis behind the practice, and this exercise takes it a little further. The aim here is to empty your head of any thoughts, feelings, frustrations or emotions for just 30-seconds, by employing the counting method. However, here we count backwards from 27, and we do it with the breath. Once you have finished the exercise you will feel much calmer and more able to cope ...

• Clear your head.
• Count backwards from 27 with the breath: for example 27 inhale, 27 exhale, 26 inhale and 26 exhale and so on.
• Keep counting and focusing only on the breath.
• If a thought or feeling does pop into your head, or you become distracted by a noise, don't worry, simply acknowledge it, and go back to counting, starting again at 27. Do not allow the initial thought to develop into a train of thoughts, catch it as early as you can.
• Now the aim is not necessarily to get to zero, be honest with yourself, if you find your mind wandering, don't be hard on yourself, just recognise it and start counting again from the beginning.
• After just 30-seconds you will notice that your initial frustration subsides, and you can focus more on solving the problem or finding alternatives, instead of raging at your friends.
• This is a good exercise to practise in its own right, as with repetition, your natural ability to calm thoughts and settle emotions increases.
  
  
• For more 30-second stress buster exercises that you can do at your desk, see our archived newsletters on our website.

• Workshops on how to work more effectively with common Microsoft programs such as optimizing Outlook, and how to work best with emails and email etiquette. Plus how to make the most of Word.
• E-teaming can help pull everyone together and create a feeling of working in harmony. Companies can elect to have collaborative websites installed in their computer environment or Zen At Work can create and manage these as an outsourced service
• Time management programs: we provide time audits that help people to realise how they spend their time and in particular how their time relates to their personal values. Zen At Work can also introduce the Time DiscipleTM software and consulting services that assist companies with time and a project accountability.
• Call or email us at info@zenatwork.com.au to get more detail on any of these programs.

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