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By: J. Mason
Online Career Tips Staff
I’m a huge movie buff, so at times some of my phrases or actions come from the movies. Today’s inspiration is from “For the Love of the Game,” starring Kevin Costner and Kelly Preston. It’s a sports/romance movie centering around two main characters…a major league baseball pitcher (Costner) and an art director (Preston). One great phrase that carries through the movie is “Clear the Mechanism.” Costner uses this phrase when the screaming crowd around him is too distracting. It’s his coping skill that helps him block out all the noise and allows him to focus on his next pitch.
How can you apply this to work? Well, there may be times when deadlines are looming, peers are in disagreement, or you’re just arguing with yourself over tough decisions, but this phrase can help with that. It’s my mantra when things get a little too tense, it keeps me cool and collected. If you feel like you’re about to lose your head then just take a step back from your computer, and say to yourself “clear the mechanism.” It may take a few tries for it to really work, but it’s worth the effort of decompressing for a few minutes. Ideally you’ll want the “noise” to momentarily cease until you’ve gained back your composure.
Remember, stress isn’t healthy for anyone, and in the office it can make things especially tense. Try Costner’s mantra on your next coffee break or on the ride home from work.
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