The wrong kind of waiting: what the film Clockwatchers can teach us Written by Cathy Goodwin, MBA, PhD
Clockwatchers is about living your life on someone else's time. Four temporary office workers meet in a featureless building. We meet heroine, Iris, as she spends much of her first day sitting in a chair where she was told to "wait till someone comes for you." The building, with its square corners and cubicles, becomes a metaphor for box that contains everyone's dreams. The temps feel ghettoized and eventually are physically segregated into a separate office. Their isolation is real: temps rarely cross border to permanent jobs in company. To escape they will have to think outside box,, yet as film begins, each temp focuses on her immediate four walls. Iris seems overqualified yet she lacks confidence. She tells her father she feels comfortable and accepted in this job and doesn't want to move on. Margaret deals with frustration by rebelling and acting out. She steals time from company and cosmetics from stores. Jane is engaged to a man who, we are led to believe, will offer her money and security but not love. Paula jams copy machine so she can flirt with repairman; she waits for a man to deliver her dreams in his toolbox. Everybody's waiting, like a hot summer day before a storm. The temps try to look busy and amuse themselves till they can begin at nine; at end of day, they crouch in their chairs, waiting to leave precisely at five.
| | Ten Ways To Get A Life You Can Live WithWritten by Suzann Foerster
When is last time you stopped and asked yourself if you're really living life you want? We live in busy times. Overwhelm and exhaustion is becoming norm. Why? Because we spend our time accomplishing tasks of day,not mindful of life we are building. So what can you do? Take action! These ten steps will put you on path to taking control of and building life you desire. Top Ten Ways to Get a Life You Can Live With 1. Say NO! Don’t let 'YES' come flying out of your mouth at first sign of a request. Notice how often you do things you’d rather not, and start making decisions based on what you want to do. Remember that you always have a choice. 2. Eliminate The 'Energy Drainers' From Your Life Make a list of all things you put up with about situations, other people or yourself. Ask yourself what purpose does this energy drainer serve in my life and what are benefits of eliminating it? Commit to take action necessary to eliminate drainers. 3. Set Priorities That Reflect Your True Values Does what you value match how you allocate your time? There is more to do in day then time to do it- decide what’s most important, focus on what you value, and say no to everything else. 4. Put Yourself First Putting your self first is not selfish; it’s actually best thing you can do for people around you. Once your needs are met and you are healthy and well taken care of, you will have more to offer everyone else. 5. Establish Boundaries and Set High Standards Boundaries protect your time, space and energy and are guidelines to how others may treat you. Standards are principles by which you choose to live your life and clear, high standards allow you to easily make decisions that align with your values.
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