{"id":37123,"date":"2024-04-02T15:57:25","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T22:57:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=37123"},"modified":"2024-04-02T15:57:25","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T22:57:25","slug":"focus-and-collaborate-fokus-dan-ber-kerjasama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/focus-and-collaborate-fokus-dan-ber-kerjasama\/","title":{"rendered":"Focus and Collaborate (Fokus dan Ber-Kerjasama)"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the beginning, I thought David Rock\u2019s book, Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long<\/em>[1]<\/a> is yet another book that I have to read one sentence three times so that my brain can capture the outcomes. I felt this way because the title of the book says, \u2018Your Brain at Work.\u2019 I am thinking, how many more rules must I remember and how many approaches must I learn to be in the game.<\/p>\n

Over the past two weeks, amidst juggling a full-time job, academic paper writing, family commitments, Easter celebrations, and Sunday sermons, I have experienced mounting pressure. My mind has been consumed by an ongoing internal dialogue. Additionally, last week, I spearheaded an automated procurement improvement initiative at work, drawing from Tim Harford\u2019s book, How to Make the World Add Up: Ten Rules for Thinking Differently About Numbers, an exercise from week five assignment [2]<\/a>. This automated enhancement process was executed over an eight-week period. The comprehensive journey involved resource allocation, strategic planning, process mapping, procedure creation, job aid design, drafting FAQs, and culminated in a successful Go-Live. Kudos to my manager and the project team for their contributions in supporting me!<\/p>\n

Upon reading Rock\u2019s book, I experienced a relieved sense of validation\u2014an affirmation of the challenges I have encountered over the past few weeks. I dare assert that Rock\u2019s work stands out as one of the most pragmatic and captivating reads, I have encountered this semester. Its departure from conventional business literature adds to its allure, making it a refreshing departure from the norm.<\/p>\n

My three main take aways out of my current state of mind are, \u2018juggling five things at once\u2019[3]<\/a>, \u2018stay cool under pressure\u2019[4]<\/a>, \u2018the power of focus\u2019[5]<\/a> and collaborate with others.[6]<\/a><\/p>\n

Juggling five things at once<\/strong>, reminded me of Martha who was distracted with all her household chores, then Jesus said to her, \u201c<\/sup><\/strong>Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things\u2026\u201d [7<\/a>] I realize the more I take on, the more I become overwhelmed and anxious. I took on the procurement improvement project without thinking it through, and out of excitement. In addition, like Martha, I did not ask for help. I have a good manager and teammates, but I did not want to admit that I was overwhelmed. I learned that moving forward, I need to think through my own timeline, map out my load of personal and professional tasks at hand and my mental state before taking on a project with a short timeline.<\/p>\n

Staying cool under pressure<\/strong>, reminded me of Nehemiah who was summoned to rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem. To be summoned to construct a high-profile construction project must have been overwhelming. Nehemiah kept his cool and prayed throughout his calling to rebuild the walls. He called out the way he was feeling (sad).[8]<\/a> As for me, I called out my emotions and lift them up to the Holy Spirit. Similar to Rock\u2019s recommendation,<\/p>\n