“If we saw work as an arena in which we could hone inner strength and wisdom moment by moment, we would make better decisions, communicate more effectively, be more efficient and leave work happier at the end of the day.” -Jon Kabat-Zinn
Work-related stress is real. Many people experience some level of stress at work that can lead to physical and mental health problems, if the stress is not managed effectively. When stressed, we can find ourselves consumed with negative thoughts about the job, our co-workers, our expectations and our paycheck. Additionally, we can get into the habit of spending countless hours gossiping and complaining about work. If this sounds like you, then it might be helpful to work on changing your perspective.
So how do you change your perspective in a way that can reduce work-related stress? Keep in mind that there are many people who are unemployed or unable to work that would be happy to have a job. It is also important to remember that work is about making a contribution, creating, doing something meaningful and learning a new skill set. If you can spend time focusing on all of the things that are wrong with your job, can you also find some space to think about the things that you enjoy about the work that you do? When confronted with difficulties at work, remember that these difficulties can become beautiful opportunities to develop your communication skills, remember what’s important to you, learn patience, practice gratitude or recognize that you are interested in a career change.
Make it a practice to see your work through a different lens. If you continue to experience work-related stress, then consider talking to a therapist, life coach or utilizing EAP services so that you can find ways to manage your stress and make choices that work for you. Share your story by leaving a reply at the bottom of this post. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at cwatlington@drwatlington.com.
