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At work we a have a single job to do but everyone knows there is so much more to work than that. For example: 1. Performance evaluations make us anxious, we wonder if we'll "measure up," 2. Co-worker dramas of people getting their feelings hurt can put stress on us and alter the decisions we make, and finally, 3. the job at hand is often changing in today's marketplace, forcing us to be innovators in our chosen fields. There are no simple solutions for these stresses at work. Try as we might, we can't please everyone all the time. Not withstanding, there is a mindset, or a mantra, that can guide us through the stormy waters when they rise up against us:

"Just be great at what you do."

Performance evaluations are one of the biggest stressors in today's workplace. With "downsizing" and "restructuring" at an all time high, everyone is worried if they will make the grade. And I can't lie to you, in my line of work and several people's I know layoffs are happening, they are real. So what can we do do relieve the anxiety of a performance evaluation? Recite the mantra morning noon and night. When we strive to be great at what we do, bosses notice. It also creates productivity for the bottom line. Envisioning being great changes the fear of the performance evaluation that was once: "Will I lose my job?" to the empowered thinking of: "How can this evaluation make me more great?" Turn fear on its ear and be great at what you do.

Co-worker drama is always lurking around the corner. If you're a teacher, it's in the teacher's lounge. If you're in business it's at the water cooler, or down a row of desks. The fact is that wherever you have people, you're bound to have drama. Sometimes the pull is so strong, you can't help but get wrapped up in it. Other times you will try so hard to avoid it that your work peers will think you pompous or conceited for not talk to them about the latest "gossip." The solution to this conundrum? Once again: "Just be great at what you do." There was a psychological study done in the 70's where a guy looked up in the middle of Central Park. He was looking at nothing but he never looked down. People would walk by and most looked up with him. This is kind of what will happen when you focus on this mantra. Even if you aren't clear where you are headed, you know your mantra and people will follow that. Gossipy co-workers will become meaningless and they will respect you as you strive to become great.

Last, being innovtive is not always easy. In todays

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