We all need a bit of ‘me-time’ … when we forget about all the tasks we have on our To-Do list, forget all our work pressures, forget our commitments and concentrate on ourselves. ‘Me-time’ needn’t be long; it is the quality that matters.
Well, of course the other thing that gives us real pleasure is ‘you-time’ given us by others; when people give us a present, their time, their company but above all, their consideration.
This applies in a work environment. A ‘pat on the back’ or a quick “Well done” is our ‘you-time’… it lets us know our work is appreciated, that we are making a difference, making a contribution that is valued.
For this to work – as a motivating phenomenon – you have to give people tasks for which they are well-prepared … with the right equipment, the right tools, the right knowledge and the right skills. Then reward. Praise must be seen to be due and deserved. If it is, the ‘warm glow’ that people feel raises their performance a couple of notches over quite a long time period.
So, get the conditions right – and start to give your employees or your colleagues some valuable ‘you-time’. It is an investment worth making.