Exhaustion

There are going to be times when you wake up exhausted, no matter what time you went to bed the night before. You’re not a celebrity and there is no hospitalization for exhaustion or rehab for being overly tired in your future. However, it is in those tired mornings that you make or break your reputation in your office.

(To be clear, I’m talking about feeling tired, looking tired and just wanting to go back to sleep. Not being sick. I’ve already written about how if you’re sick you need to stay home.)

If despite your best effort, you’re just dragging, splash some cold water on your face, pour an extra cup of coffee and make the best of it. Show up on time, be cordial and polite and do your job. Your boss and co-workers will notice. You might even gain their respect. Don’t complain, don’t whine, just get your job done. Try extra hard not to make mistakes.

If you can, sneak a nap on your lunch break away from prying eyes. If you can’t, just get through the day.