10 ways to be okay at work
If you worked through the 10 coaching questions in the first post in this series, you’ll have a much better understanding of what stresses you at work and why. You’ll also know what you’d prefer to believe about yourself around work, and how you’d prefer to feel.
But how would you know okay-ness at work if you were to be it? Here are 10 examples to try on for size:
- Believing that your work has meaning for you beyond your day to day tasks.
- Knowing that you have gifts and talents to use at work and nurturing them.
- Managing your time and presence at work in a way that works for both you and your employer.
- Pushing back when your workload goes beyond what you can deliver and stay feeling good about yourself.
- Taking responsibility for setting and meeting your performance goals.
- Telling colleagues when their behaviour doesn’t gel for you, and asking them for what you need instead.
- Trusting that other people can take care of themselves.
- Withholding your judgement of others.
- Believing that when you ask for something at work, or share your point of view, you will be listened to.
- Taking feedback that supports you and is helpful to your development; not taking on negative comments.
What does being okay at work look like to you? I’d love to hear some of your examples.
In the third and final part of the series, I’ll be saying more about how the past influences our work and workplace choices, and how we can break free of its less productive influences. If you don’t want to miss it, subscribe here!
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Hey Christine
Very timely for me. I have had a hard year in my job and have just been offered a new job that I’m really looking forward to (starting just before Christmas) which is great. I have come across challenges and feelings I had never experienced before in the job I am leaving and now as I leave am reflecting on what I have learnt…. I know have learnt a lot from it and am clearer what I want from a job…it has brought into focus what I really value.
Jen
Hey, Jen
Glad the post has been of some use.
How exciting that you’re starting a new job and that you’ve taken so much positively from a tough experience! I often find that being in difficult situations often, paradoxically, allow us to get really clear about what we do want and value. Well done you for sticking it out and getting something that’s better for you!
Christine
Twitter: CubeRules
I’d also offer that you should not be using this one time and then forget about it. Much better to set up a consistent review of your work life (monthly or quarterly, for example) so that you can catch bad things happening early when they are easier to correct. Or noting when they started and then setting a deadline for when they need to get better or it is time to look for a different job.
Time flies and all of a sudden you look up and you are totally stressed out. Then you have to go through hoops trying to figure it all out. Catch this stuff early.
Hadn’t considered that one, Scot. Your comment reminds me that part of the challenge of stress is that we adapt to it and don’t realise how stressed we are and how badly it’s affecting us until we’re really in the thick of it. So having review mechanism is a brilliant way to help stay on top of things.
Twitter: bobbessette
Hi Christine,
At work, and in life for that matter, being respected is THE most important thing. You touch on this point when you say
“Believing that when you ask for something at work, or share your point of view, you will be listened to.”
If you know that others, especially your superiors, value what you do and respect you for that, then I’m OK with work..
Best,
Bob
Lovely comment, Bob. Respecting other people and being respected in return is so important to our well-being.
Best wishes.