Do you achieve more standing while you work? Latest management methods suggest that you are more alert and creative standing while you work than sitting. But there is no documented research to prove that yet. What is available, are examples of great corporate managers and statesmen who stand up while they work.
Some examples: David B. Ellis, in his book, Becoming A Master Student says, “standing as opposed to sitting for long periods has advantages. “You stay more alert and creative when you are on your feet. Standing is great for lower back pains too. Sitting aggravates the spine and supporting muscles.”
Ellis says if “you stand and work, you would be joining the ranks of some influential people who spend their days standing rather than sitting on their jobs.” Roger Bark, chairman of Merrill Lynch and Co; George Shinn, Chairman and Chief Executive of First Boston Corp; C. Peter McColough, chairman of Xerox have all switched to standing-style desks. They get more work done and are more comfortable doing it.”
Ellis adds that Thomas Jefferson used a stand-up desk upon which he wrote the declaration of independence of theUSA. Donald Rumsfeld, formerUSSecretary of Defence, used one at the White House and continues to use one in private business.
Please experiment with this idea of standing and working. Consider setting your desk on blocks or putting a box atop your desk so that you can stand while writing, preparing speeches, or studying.”
Stand on your job and do something. Can you? Will you? If you do so, you may well be one of the pioneers of Stand Up managers in the corporate world. And watch out! One of the growing numbers of awards promoters in your country may spot you and give you an award as “Stand Up Manager of The Year.”
Don’t compete, create! Create something on your feet! Think on your feet! Innovate or die! The power of creativity! These are some of the latest management mantras you hear or read about in various media. Another one says, “A man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimension.” And now, you are being told that if you stand up while you are writing, studying or thinking, you will be more creative and productive. And if this new management drive catches on, businessmen and women who make executive settees may go out of business.
Break the rules! You have heard that before. That is another way of telling you to stand up and create new products and services. But what has standing on your job got to do with creativity? Check out the world of stand-up comedians. Why are they branded stand-up? Comedians don’t work sitting down. They stand up, in motion as they thrill the audience with their jokes and humorous stories. Their stage show calls for creativity and art; else their audience will not laugh. And when a comedian cannot make his audience to laugh, he is out of business.
It is same for motivational speakers. They do their job standing, not sitting. Clergymen, pastors, evangelists and others who speak for a living, they stand on their jobs. Politicians stand on the soap box when canvassing for votes for elective offices. But as soon as they win and enter office, they “sit.” That is when government begins to go wrong.
Creativity is not the only fall out of standing on your job.. When you stand, you maximize your full potentials of commanding attention.. Getting attention creates visibility. Standing also enhances your mobility. You cannot sit and be mobile except you are on a wheel chair. Standing is next to action. A medical doctor sits while listening to her patient. If she wants to do proper diagnosis, she stands up.
Eric Okeke is a storyteller, editor, business writer, motivational speaker and author of the best selling book: I Want a Husband. He is one of Nigeria’s most experienced financial journalists. He has published several articles in local and foreign publications and in websites such as http://www.ezinearticles.com, www.ezinearticles.com and www.writingcareer.com. He is currently running Infomedia Company, a media consulting and information marketing company. Visit his blog at http://sallywantsahusband.blogspot.com
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