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Is your job just killing you that when you wake up, you think, “uuuuugggghhh… I don’t want to go in.” Or is your job just not fulfilling? Do you feel like you’re not growing there and you could be so much more? Or perhaps you have a good job, in that it pays well, but it’s full of negative people that are bringing you down? I know I’ve experienced all of these emotions from one time or another, and I’ll admit, I’ve been in ruts that were more difficult than others to pull myself from the abyss of negative emotions surrounding work. Here are four ideas to help you climb from the bottom and at least make your place of work tolerable.
No Ego
Drop the Ego. We all have egos, and in some cases the ego can be a good thing. But when I’m talking about the ego, I’m talking about that person who is only tuned into “Radio-Me.” That radio station that constantly plays the tune, “It’s all about me…why is this happening to me…if only this place would do this then I would do …” Some of you have probably even said those exact phrases, and it’s ok, but when it becomes a routine, that’s a problem. The problem is the ego is built for survival. The ego doesn’t welcome open curiosity or inquisitiveness, and therefore, that makes it very difficult to see other opinions, other options, other paths or avenues that might lead to success. When we’re not open, we’re closed to the possibility of what could be or what’s possible.
When your job screws you and tells you that you must come in on your day off, you feel wronged, the ego is hurt. But at the end of the day, you cannot change what’s about to occur, so turns towards it, and welcome it. Now of course, you’re saying Joel, that’s so airy fairy of you, but you don’t understand, I’m being wronged here, and it’s just not right. Sometimes this is true. And if you’re in a toxic place over long periods of time I recommend you get out. However, in the interim, you will cause yourself so much internal stress and problems trying to fight the issue or problem, instead of just welcoming it. When you welcome the stress, you change yourself, and how you feel, and it makes it much easier to pass through the problem, instead of fighting it.
Be a Team Player
This goes hand in hand with the dropping the Ego. When you find something greater than yourself to contribute to, to be a part of, you will find much more happiness and fulfillment at your job. There are times at my work, that I think, I don’t want to be here, this such a waste of time. I’m not appreciated for what I do. My bosses don’t care about my work, the people I serve don’t care about my work, what’s the freaking point? Again, I have to catch myself, focusing on me, and instead focusing on others. How can I make this situation right now, a better place to work? What kind of energy would have to bring to this workplace to make this fun again or to make this place kick ass? Who can I impact today, even if it’s on a minuscule level? Who’s life can I change or bring joy to by me working today? What can I learn today? These are the kind of questions that change my state, and get me into action so that I can feel a sense of fulfillment, instead of this morose state that does nothing to change the situation. The situation is what it is. You change how you interpret that situation. Be a team player. Help others around you, and make them better.
Be Better
I heard Ex-Navy Seal Jocko Wilink say this, in regards to someone asking him this question, “If I work at a place that won’t change and continues to make the same mistakes in the past, but won’t listen to feedback from others, what should I do?” This person was specifically referring to changes in law enforcement, but could apply to any organization. Jocko’s response was this: Be the best in your organization. Be so good that people can’t find anything wrong with you. Be the example, so when people or bosses think of excellence they think of you. Essentially, be so good they can’t deny you. Because if you go and complain to your bosses that this is wrong and that is wrong, no one is going to listen. Instead you need to build capital in the organization. And when the timing is right, promote within the organization. And then, and only then, can you start implementing changes.” I love this, because I have faced this same dilemma at work. We have several antiquated practices that we still do to this day, and everyone’s idiotic response is, “Well we’ve always done it that way.” I used to fight this so much and I would get so stressed out. Now, I’ve changed my mentality.
Art of Self-Expression
Some of you might have jobs that require more creativity, like for example, coming up with a new blog post idea. It’s so easy to get trapped in mindset, “Oh great, what new thing am I going to come up with today…it’s so hard…” What I have to constantly remind myself is that this is art of expression. I get to do this, I don’t have to do this. I get to share and show people some of the teachings, and learnings, and introspective things I’ve come across over my years on this Earth. I have the opportunity to reach people and share this art that will possibly inspire others. More so, I get to grow, I get to contribute, I get to learn more about myself and who I am becoming. This is the reason why I can stay up late to finish a post, or wake up early to shoot a video. It’s an art. It’s not about me.
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Photo Credit: Getty Images