Woe to work 2: Nip Those bad feelings in the bud, Increase your subjective well-being David B. Bohl
In a recent discussion on my blog reflections, we explored the concept of SWB or Subjective well-being - your assessment of your current misery in the workplace.
We determined that, although many external factors are often to blame for this "defeat" feeling that so many people experience in their jobs ... the real solution is to change yourself and your attitude. You need to do before we can begin to impact your work colleagues and the general dynamics.
Below you will find a sample of five of the ten key factors that make us unhappy at work, Chiumento published by the United Kingdom in 2007 the index of happiness at work. For many of us, the practice of assigning blame to one, five, ten or even all of these factors in the workplace The misfortune is a ritual familiar and comforting. One could even think to ourselves,
"Yes I can relate to what others think and feel about their jobs. Commisserating this way makes me feel good - as I am not alone in my misery."
However, if you want to initiate real change and improvement, you must go beyond simply identifying the problem and in the field of "What can I do to change what I do not like what is happening? " The discovery of five of the top ten factors of unhappiness in the workplace from a place of personal responsibility and a proactive, problem-solving.
Workplace unhappiness Factor 1: Lack of communication from the top.
If water cooler whispers are the only way to know what the business is your business, it's safe to say that your company has reached a quite dismal and dysfunctional business. Without adequate communication on the part of entrepreneurs, there is nobody to lead the organization.
Do you have a position somewhat influential in your job? Then you can start watching your ministry as a business per se. Stop waiting for direction from above, and stimulate the efforts of leadership within your own sphere of influence. If your position does not hold authority, then you can wait it out, while continuing to give the best of your ability. However, if you're fairly certain that the company does not intend to remedy the situation, you can skip this sinking ship before it takes you with it.
Workplace unhappiness Factor 2: Competitive salary.
When you feel as if you are not paid enough for your talent, skill and effort, it can really affect your productivity. Of all the elements of this list is probably the most serious and least "fixable". Unless you are a company CEO or the board, you probably have no influence on budgetary decisions.
The obvious solution is to start looking elsewhere. You may believe that your loyalty to the company one day to bring you the recognition you deserve, with the paycheck to match. But the reality is that times change. Companies are no longer offering the type of security that you turn into a lifer. So keep your eyes and ears open for new opportunities. You'll know when the time is ripe to begin to move in a new direction.
Workplace unhappiness Factor 3: No recognition for achievements.
There's nothing worse than learning that the hard work you put in has gone unnoticed, overtime worked are not compensated, and credit for your ideas has been removed by someone else. And it is easy to throw your hands and say, "Well, I tried one last time and it made me nowhere, the next time I will not bother." The key here is to put pressure your own name. This is a skill that is essential for progress in the scale of your job, and yet no company is going to teach you - you have to learn it by yourself.
If you can, retrace your steps and document all areas in the recent past where you put forth your best. In the future, keep a list of running all the ideas of yours that are used, all the projects you manage successfully all the additional responsibilities you are taking, and all the ways you help others achieve their goals more quickly. When examination time comes, pull out your list and without blaming someone else, you hear and know.
If the review time has passed and you feel like you missed the opportunity, ask to arrange a meeting with the department head. You can also inform and or include human resources at the meeting, to be sure that the accounts of your performance in the record for the future.
Workplace unhappiness Factor 4: the patron of the poor.
Many people see it as a "desperate" situation at work. "I have a rotten boss is the person I report to directly. So I'm trapped according to their rules - false, selfish, unreasonable, or if those rules are."
Remember, if you see some inefficiencies or weaknesses of your boss, other people are too. If your boss is the kind that micro-manages and or assigns blame unfair to people who report to him, then in all likelihood, he did with other department members as well.
Many forward-thinking companies now offer what is known of the journal "performance of 360 degrees" - where employees get to see their bosses as well as other members of their immediate use. This is your chance to air grievances in a constructive manner. Want to open a dialogue on how the situation can be improved, without looking like the bad guy who is "out to get the boss." If your company does not provide such notice, you can volunteer a self-created, again, share this information with more companies and key people in human resources. Caution if - the squeaky wheel does fat, but timing is everything.
Workplace unhappiness Factor 5: little personal development.
Large companies usually find ways to supplement the employee skillset with new knowledge and personal development. They can offer training sessions in the workplace, off-site motivational seminars and extracurricular activities. Some are even willing to part or all of your foot education bill. Small businesses, however, generally lack the staff or management committees of these "benefits", and so they bumped down the priority list.
If you feel you've fallen into a rut at work, then be proactive and do something. Perhaps the technology that is used by your company is quite old and needs revision. Perhaps you've heard about a new skill that could improve your performance at work. Or perhaps you just need a little extra motivation. Maybe you want to develop great leadership skills for future management positions.
Go online and look for opportunities that you do improve your performance. Approach your boss and ask if you can attend the next training or seminar. Most companies view this as "taking initiative" and are willing to pay the bill in such cases. If yours does not, you can take your Internet research a new stage. Start looking for work to another company!
As I mentioned earlier, the real secret of happiness at work starts with your own attitude. Regardless of what caused the attitude that YOU have the power to change things. For more tips on balancing work and life and happiness, visit the articles section of my site.
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Copyright 2007 David B. Bohl Coaching Reflections, LLC. All rights reserved.