Aiming for Healthy and Desirable Work Experiences Empowers Us

-


Going to a Positive Work Experience Frees Us from a Negative Situation

As a therapist and wellness workshop facilitator, I often hear persons bemoan an unpleasant, draining and toxic workplace situation. A frequently expressed sentiment is, “I have to get out of there”.  It makes sense that we wish to leave situations that are causing us distress. However, we will often get stuck if we only focus on the negative circumstances and pain of the present, without a sense of where we wish to head.  By becoming immobilized, we simply find ourselves in a chronic state of misery and desperation.  Another possibility of simply escaping a negative situation without a clear sense of going to a positive circumstance, is that we may find ourselves in a new workplace environment, dealing with similar negative dynamics and being just as unhappy.  

This article addresses ways to transcend and getting in control of a distressing work experience, so that it becomes clear where you wish to head.  This requires us to address the distressing aspects of the current negative work experience and to use that information, to inform us as to what we wish to experience in a new position that would be in our best healthy professional interests.
If addressing any possible changes in the current workplace have been exhausted or determined not worth the effort, it makes sense that it is time to move on.

Let’s get empowered around our career lives by clearly identifying where we are headed and what we wish to experience, so that we will (by definition) leave a negative situation. Here is a method to re-orient your thinking in a more proactive manner.
Create the Following Four Column Model:

Sources of                  This Makes                     The Healthier, Positive                     Steps to
Work Distress            Me Feel                           Experience I  Seek                            Take
_______________________________________________________________________________ 


  1. Identify what bothers you.  Make a list of the dysfunctional situations, mistreatments, and sources of unhappiness.  What is causing your unhappiness?                                                    For Example: I am underutilized in my current position
  2. Specify the negative feelings generated by each of the specific sources of distress in Col. #1  For Example: This makes me feel bored and unmotivated
  3.   Allow the reasons or sources of distress and whatever specific negative emotions to inform about a preferred experience that would make for a healthier and more fulfilling work situation For Example: I desire more challenge and opportunities to grow professionally
  4. Create a specific plan of action and begin working toward attaining a desirable and healthy  work experience                                                                                                                         For Example: I will see a position that provides me with experiences that are commensurate with my interests and skill level

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taking Care of Me in 2023: Healthy Self-Love

-
  Elements and the Practice of  Healthy Self-Love As February comes to a close, let's reflect on the major theme, represented by Valentine's Day, that of love . Healthy love is a powerful force.  It provides us with motivation, joy, purpose, and energy.  It is important to remember that healthy love starts with our ability to love ourselves.     Healthy Self-Love Self-Acceptance and Being Authentic Like who you are Focus on and reinforce your strengths and positive qualities Embrace your individuality Self-Compassion Treat yourself well Forgive yourself for past mistakes Accept positive treatment from others Self-Esteem Recognize your value and honor it Honor the priority of your needs Assert your needs and wants Self-Awareness Be in touch with and in control of your emotions Set reasonable and Healthy Boundaries  Practice mindfulness  Positivity Recognize and celebrate your accomplishments Adopt an optimistic mindset Seek to enjoy life Pract...
Read more

Welcome 2023 With Gratitude from 2022

-
  THE BENEFIT OF GRATITUDE  Being Grateful for 2022 Helps Usher in 2023 As 2022 comes to a close, it it helpful to reflect on how we were successful in getting through the year. It is important to note that using a positive lens through which to evaluate what has transpired and where we have landed does not require us to ignore the painful or challenging experiences.  It is healthy to acknowledge problems and negative situations.  However, it is unhealthy to give those events and situations all of the power.  That is what happens when we narrow our lens and focus only or primarily on the pain of hurtful events. A healthy attitude enables us to desire to be whole, feel well and move on. Psychological researchers have found that the practice of gratitude is helpful in switching our perspective from one of problem to solution and building the resilience to overcome the negative impact of hurtful events.  Specifically, the attitude of gratitude is the ability t...
Read more

Taking Care of Me in 2023: Healthy and Intentional Self-Care

-
  "Taking Care of Me in 2023" An Overview of the S.P.I.E.S. Self-Care Model Self-Care is the healthy exercise of your responsibility and your right to aim for wellbeing.  It starts with our attitude.  That which we can Conceive, Believe and Achieve contributes toward our feeling and being well.  This is a conscious and intentional practice. My mindfulness approach: Acknowledge; Assess and Address enables you to work through and manage your emotions.  This intentional process enables you to feel in control and resolve distress.  Practicing deliberate self-care in a comprehensive manner promotes total wellness.  My model, S.P.I.E.S. provides a framework that can be applied to guide you through self-care assessment and practices across five dimensions:  Spiritual: Your sense of purpose, mission, values, and meaning that guide you and promote fulfillment Physical: Your health, physical characteristics, physical abilities and talents; Intellectual: You...
Read more