Isn't control something we all strive for, either as a conscious effort or unconsciously as a survival technique? Aren't we happiest when we think we're in control of our life decisions, the amount of money we make, job security, our health, and in our intimate relationships? Conversely, aren't we angry if we feel out of control of anything important in our lives?
I'd like to focus on email as a control catalyst today. Email can be our best friend when we're able to move a message forward at any time of the day or night, without restriction. It makes us look superhuman when we shoot off a message at 4:30am! Email allows us to meet more deadlines, exchange pleasantries, and work much more time efficiently. But email has its nasty side. It can make cowards out of us by providing a shield to hide behind when we want to communicate an unpleasant message.
We can be insensitive in our communication because we can't see the face of the person to whom we're speaking, and judge through their nonverbal reactions the merit of our words and thoughts. The sneakiest ways that email influences our control issues is through a message that is innocently communicated to us, but that indirectly threatens our sense of control. I experience this every single day. And many days I succumb to the fear of control loss, and respond in such a way that makes me cringe after I hit "send."
I wonder if my response will appear as hurtful to the receiver as it felt to me. The busier I get, the more susceptible I am to an insensitive response. I'm a master at apologies now. Yesterday was a breakthrough day in managing my control-triggered responses to clients and contemporaries who wrote messages to me that stoked my emotions. In those instances I found myself replying with two sentences: "Let's talk about this later. When are you free?" As simple as this sounds, it lifted a giant weight of guilt off me. I said nothing that made me embarrassed; I didn't hurt anyone's feelings. And, I actually held onto the control card stronger by not responding, because the subject was still open, and the decisions inconclusive, until I responded. I kept control by waiting until I could fashion my thoughts and communication in a positive way.
By waiting until later in the day to talk and discuss the issues at hand, I was also able to be more centered in and honest about my positions, and more creative about solutions. Control is an elusive energy. Anyone can have it at any time they want it. But only in limited scope. None of us can control nature, but we can avoid its perilous effects most of the time by avoiding contact with it in its extreme environments. We can be fully in control of our emotions when we consciously choose to. We can control the ethics of our decisions.
We can assume control in business by understanding supply and demand, and where we fit in this order; and by knowing how to frame and position our negotiable goods, our skills and our talents. The goal with control is to create a happy, balanced environment for ourselves, isn't it? To be able to have the people and things around us that we enjoy, with a routine of work and play that nourishes us, is a good sign that we are exercising control in the things that matter. Those email messages that can potentially disrupt the balance of your day and elicit the feeling of control loss, can be now handled with the grace and style of ultimate control through two simple sentences: "Let's talk about this later. When are you free?" How sweet it is when we can control our emotional retorts.
Most people underestimate the importance of hydration. It is common for people not to realise that they are dehydrating, until much later on in the day when it is too late to make up for the lost fluid. The most important part of keeping track of one's health and well-being is monitoring the amount of water consumption in a day. Unfortunately, the most common beverage in an office or any work environment is tea or coffee. More people consume caffeine based drinks rather than pouring themselves water from water dispensers or the tap and then thinking that this counts towards their daily water intake.
Caffeine is both a stimulant and a diuretic, meaning it dehydrates the body. Therefore, when people consume more tea and coffee on a daily basis they are in fact losing fluid from their body. Though caffeine does provide an individual with stimulants, it is in fact doing more harm to the body than they know. We as humans are absolutely dependant on water and it is vital that we maintain a good balance in water consumption. For this reason, many work environments (namely offices) have water dispensers available.
History
Drinking safe water was a key issue in the past. Early water treatments and purifications can be dated back as far as 2000 BC, whereby treatment consisted of boiling the water, or placing a hot metal in the water to filter it through from sand or charcoal. Many years later, until the invention of the microscope, water filtration changed dramatically. Scientists and researchers were able to view tiny water particles and determine whether the water was clean or not. It also helped scientists connect certain diseases related to poor quality water such as cholera, and was able to decrease the number of cholera outbreak by improving water filtration systems.
Water Coolers have been around since the 1900s, whereby large blocks of ice were used to chill the water. Electric coolers were then created in 1938, following a variant supply of water cooling devices and many more improvements in the design. Many researchers during this period were already aware of the importance of water for a healthy lifestyle. Bottled water dispensers have been around since before the mid twentieth century, with water cooling units introduced later on.
As well as offering a cool water to drink, many units offer a heating device, providing instant heated water along with cooled water. The units are also available in many shapes and colours and can even be available with fancy electrical devices and LCD screens. However, the most common and popular water units are freestanding bottled units that depend on gravity to provide water.
Some are also designed with different modes and settings such as, energy saving features, temperature control and for purity a bacteriostatic water tube. It is very rare these days for offices not to provide water units for staff, therefore people do not have to go out and buy a bottle of water separately. Though, that being said, it is the responsibility of the individual to maintain their water intake regularly and with free water available there really is no excuse!
Both Judy Weigle & Anna Stenning are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Judy Weigle has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dancing, Small Business and Work Life Balance. Judy Weigle is the author of My Office Is A 3-Ring Circus! She is an , change, fear, and repositioning.. Judy Weigle's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.
Anna Stenning has sinced written about articles on various topics from computers and the internet, Management and Wedding Gifts. Anna Stenning is very health conscious and always makes sure she is filling her bottle up with the available at her office. For more information on water. Anna Stenning's top article generates over 4090000 views. to your Favourites.