Worker Burnout

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey.

            Everyone deserves to enjoy a meaningful work experience, but unfortunately, many end up being stressed and even regretting choosing a certain career, leading to a love-hate relationship with their jobs.  

            I have come across people who blame those who fail to endure work pressure. Insensitive questions and hurtful remarks include, “Nobody forced you into the profession so why are you making a big fuss now?”  or “It is your fault for choosing the career in the first place, so stop crying over spilt milk”.

I believe that it is not right for us to treat our colleagues or friends who grouse over their heavy workloads in such a manner.  These burn out employees, who have too much on their plate, do not deserve our discouraging and demotivating reactions.   

            Showing less capability in coping with work pressure does not lessen one’s ability in one's profession. Thus, it is not a recommended option for employees to bid farewell to their profession and start with a new one, just because they mismanage their job stress. They should, instead, learn from experience and develop their skills and specialties, without losing their passion in the profession.

For a better work experience, employees need to ditch wrong attitudes and poor work behaviour. Procrastination, for instance, is a habit caused by lack of work ethics and professionalism. 

As for employers, they need to realise that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Hence, it is essential for them to set reasonable and achievable expectations, while believing that consistency and dedication will lead to victory, eventually.

Employers should avoid making employees bite off more than they can chew, as the latter may suffer from depression and mental problems. While trying to satisfy customers and hit the target set by their bosses, these employees may kill themselves gradually, silently and subconsciously. 

            Like children, adults need their own playtime to rejuvenate. Life is not always about making money. 

Courtesy of New Sunday Times

15 March 2015

All Students Will Shine with the Right Motivation

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey. 

            I refer to the letter by Dr Vishalache Balakrishnan, “Leave no student behind” (NST, March 6), and would like to express my opinion regarding the matter.

            In the letter, Dr Vishalache agreed that we should not merely focus on high achievers, but also the ones who did not do well in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). However, from what I read on newspapers and watched on television, everyone was in the limelight. Students who scored excellent grades were complimented for their outstanding achievements, while humble achievers, including those who needed to deal with disasters, illnesses and disabilities, were also congratulated despite their satisfactory results. In addition, there were also reports on Orang Asli as well as financially-challenged students who could have dropped out but ended up making their family and society proud, even though they scored only a few As. 

            According to the writer, “there is no brouhaha over who got straight As” in New Zealand, which is a contradictory situation in Malaysia as, for decades, it has been a cultural phenomenon for the latter to report on excellent achievers. I feel that there is nothing wrong with that. It is our own and unique way of appreciating high achievers, even while we motivate future SPM candidates to excel in the examinations, too. As our young read stories about students who need to deal with trials and tribulations in life, especially those with special needs, in newspapers and on social media, it will teach them to be grateful and help them believe that where there is a will, there is a way.

             American author Mark Twain once said: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started”. Motivation is essential for learners as it is the first step to short- and long-term success. Without motivation, students will fail to see the importance of education and the roles it plays in their lives. 

             I suggest that SPM achievers, including those who do not score all As but impress their families and schools with remarkable improvement, should be given the opportunity to carry out sharing sessions, preferably at their respective schools, districts or states, on their experience to help spur others to excel. It is also recommended that these motivated students be invited for radio or television interviews to discuss their bittersweet journey in achieving their goals.

            However, students should also be encouraged to develop their intrinsic motivation and they should not be put under extrinsic pressure that focuses on competition as well as parental and society’s expectations. 

           I have a friend who recently shared a story of a female student who struggled with cancer while preparing for the SPM examination last year. Despite her serious health problems, her parents still set high expectations, pushing her to being an all-rounder. Although she scored 7As, she was scolded by her parents for not meeting their unreasonable expectations. 

            Teenagers, no matter how rebellious or problematic they are, will shine if they are motivated in the right way. Otherwise, the two SPM candidates of Henry Gurney School would not have scored 8As, as reported recently. And that is because we should not leave no student behind in their quest to better themselves. 

Courtesy of New Straits Times

9 March 2015