Is there anything harder than going back to work following a weeklong vacation? Of course there is, but most people would concede that doing so is no easy task. I went on a trip to Boston with my wife last week and had a great time. So great, in fact, that I dreaded having to go back to the office today. It was a miracle I was even able to get up on time! No, it's not that I disdain my job. Sure, there are things about it I wish I could change, but I like certain aspects of it. It's just difficult to get back in a working groove again after having spent several days sightseeing and soaking up as much history possible. And it isn't as though my brain was on vacation during the trip; I spent a great deal of time reading descriptions on exhibits and buildings. The bottom line is that most of us would gladly prefer sauntering around a city and hitting up popular sites and attractions to being holed up in a cubicle for eight hours every day. Somehow, though, we...

If Monday is July 4th, that can only mean one thing: a long weekend draws near! It doesn't feel like the last long weekend we had -- Memorial Day weekend -- was that long ago. Time flies! One of the best things about a long weekend is the fact that things begin to get a whole lot calmer around Thursday. Suddenly, you start noticing people taking days off or leaving earlier. It is for this reason that I actually enjoy going to work on Fridays that precede long weekends. Because there are fewer people around to interrupt and distract you, you can usually do more of whatever it is you intend to do, whether it's lollygag or actual work.  Indeed, I find the best days to take off are those where everyone is at work -- except me. But if several people are out, I just don't get the same satisfaction from being out of the office. I become especially disgruntled when I request a day off, only to discover that my boss won't be in that day either.  Anyhow, I wa...

I've noticed over the years that men and women tend to be completely different creatures in the morning. While men tend to be a bit quieter and slower to get in the swing of things, women are already chatting it up as soon as they get to the office. When I arrive, I usually stop by the restroom on my way to my cubicle. It's rare for me to hear the voice of a man in the lobby or hallways prior to 10 a.m. Rather, the chatter of women -- sometimes groups of three or more -- fills the air. I know you can't put all men and women in these two separate buckets. It's just a general observation I've made at the offices I've worked in, not to mention at home: My wife is always more disposed to conversing in the morning than I am. Not until I eat breakfast and have some time to stretch my limbs do I feel ready to face the day. For some reason, women seem to be perkier and more energetic in the morning than their male counterparts. You'll find my boss and anot...

It's no wonder so many people opt to take this day off. More than half the people in my department didn't come in today. And the same thing happens every year. Thankfully, they usually let everyone go home around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Coming in to work the day before Thanksgiving has its pros and cons. The day tends to be slow, so it's a safe bet you'll be able to get by without doing much. (I know there are always exceptions, like people who work in hospitals.) Whether this is a good thing really depends on the person. While some who work in stressful, fast-paced jobs may find it a welcome change, others might go stir-crazy while eying the clock every 5 minutes. Since the day tends to drag, having the internet, your earbuds, and/or your smartphone handy will certainly help keep you occupied. Since there's not much happening, many people choose to take the day off, figuring they can spend the day with friends and family without falling behind on their...

If you feel unfulfilled at work and reason that your lack of friendships in the workplace is the culprit, think again. Mixing business and pleasure is ill-advised. It's appalling how many of my coworkers open up about their personal lives to other people in the department. For example, a young woman who sits in the cubicle next to me recently broke up with her boyfriend and has made it a habit of hers to spill her guts about the breakup every day. I understand human beings have an inherent need to bond with and seek consolation from those in their immediate environment, but that's what parents, spouses, siblings, and friends outside of work are for. Relating details of your personal life to coworkers has the potential to blow up in your face. You never know who you can really trust out there, especially when dealing with people in the workplace whom you may not know all that well. Perhaps you feel comfortable enough to do this with coworkers whom you've been worki...