In my last post, I explained how connecting well with others at work, communicating clearly, and standing up for yourself at the right moments can make your job less stressful. I also talked about being flexible and trying new ways to solve problems. In today’s work world, change is constant. But most changes don’t last forever and rarely affect our lives completely. Blaming yourself or others for problems caused by change won’t help.
I also shared results from a recent survey by the American Psychological Association Center for Organizational Excellence. This survey revealed that many employees feel stuck in their current jobs. Only 39% said they have enough chances to move up inside their company. Just over half feel appreciated at work. Less than half believe that work recognition is fair and based on good evaluations.
As I mentioned before, having resilience—the ability to bounce back from difficulties—can help improve these numbers. Your work should have value and meaning. It should be more than just a paycheck. You should feel what you do matters and makes a difference.
To decide if your work is meaningful, you need to look at your values—what really matters to you. Your values should match those of your coworkers and the company you work for. If they don’t, the difference will cause stress over time. Your personal goals and the company’s goals should align. If they don’t, it might be time to find a job that fits better.
Work often brings up strong emotions, and that’s normal. You should feel passion for your work, but also frustration if you can’t express it. The problem comes when anger builds up inside. Anger can be harmful. It’s important to recognize your feelings and find healthy ways to let them out. This helps you think clearly and handle problems at work better.
In my next post, I’ll share practical tips to help make your work environment more positive for you and your coworkers.
Related topics: