If today is one of “those days” for you, I am happy you are reading this. Coping with a stressful day, week or environment drives us crazy. It makes us think about quitting our jobs or even moving out of the country when things get stressful, relationships break down, and people get frustrated. Unfortunately, your work life will affect more than your relationships with your co-workers. Stress, frustration, disappointment – they all make their way inside our homes too. And who wants to spend an entire weekend fighting instead of watching Netflix and cuddling?
If we continue to live in this disturbing setting, soon we are going to feel exhausted – not only physically, but mentally. Maintaining a healthy work environment is essential for all of us. That is here’s a mini-list of things you would want to identify and avoid in your workplace.
1. Perfectionism
Perfectionists arrange their desks in great detail, keep their cubicles impeccable all the time, and talk constantly about doing everything the best way. These are the people whose lives are miserable because they always try to be perfect. Welcome to every office in the world! Wherever you go, you are going to meet these types of colleagues. It can be irritating and exhausting, but if you let them get to you, your life will start being miserable too.
So stay true to yourself. Even if they seem “perfect,” they are not happy in any way. Their lives are planned, and boring. So don’t feel bad about being disorganized from time to time, or missing an appointment every now and then. It happens, because we are human. Avoid sticking around such people; they will only bring in more negativity.
2. Hypervigilance
Caring too much can reduce courage, and play a damaging role in the long term. I know this is not what you usually hear, but it’s true. Let’s look at an example. Say you have a big project on your mind – you’ve created it from scratch. You know it would be successful if presented, but there is a small probability your boss might say no to you. So you hide it for days, trying to improve it again and again. You end up not having the courage to ever hand it in – you’re too scared to do it. “It might go wrong.”
I know this has happened or might happen to you. So I am advising you to go with the flow – what’s the worst that could happen? They can’t fire you for speaking up. They might appreciate you even more for that. Live fearlessly and stop being hypervigilant. That’s not living, that’s surviving. Be that voice!
3. Unclear Boundaries
People without boundaries are unhealthy people with no self-respect. Do you have any physical or emotional boundaries that you don’t want people to cross? Any time-related boundaries? You should let people know where you stand. Your colleague comes to you in a hurry and asks for help. You are busy at that moment, but you do not say no, because “it is hard saying no to a friend.” That is harmful behavior based on insecurity.
But do it. Say no, and start living by your own values. You will not only improve your personal life but extend your relationships at work. By respecting yourself, you will be even more respected by the people around you.
4. Drama and Its Effects
You might be part of it or hate it. Anyhow, avoid it. Drama only makes your work life harder to enjoy. Stay out of useless conflicts or gossip; you do not need that negativity in your life. If you ever find yourself being gossiped about, live by the value of honesty, and face your gossipers. Even if we are not in high-school anymore, these things happen – and instead of letting them ruin our day, we’d better confront them.
5. Going Through a Burnout
Take time to analyze your level of tiredness at the end of each week. Write down your activities. If you feel overwhelmed, take time for yourself. Cut down on your activities. Your energy fuel is not infinite, and once you break down, it is very challenging to rebuild everything you’ve already accomplished. Take it step by step, and make it manageable.
Arthur Stough, an HR manager at AU Essaysontime, shares his thoughts, “Whenever I see my employees burning out, I know they have been overloaded. It is more than they can manage, and I understand that. I give them a day off, and then we start again. Now, the workload is smaller, and the results are better.” Make sure you communicate with your employer. If you feel overwhelmed, tell them the truth. In the end, everyone’s purpose is increased productivity – and isn’t that achieved through open communication?
6. Over-Controlling Situations
Having our lives planned in advance, or paying attention to too many details at work won’t bring you anything but stress. “You want to control everything, but nothing can be entirely controlled,” agrees psychologist Helen Wilson. You can only manage the things that are inherent to your own self, and you will never be able to control how other people react or think – so stop trying to. Your own thoughts and behavior are what you have control over entirely, so change that instead of trying to change other people.
7. Personal Affairs
Bringing up personal problems at the office shows lack of professionalism. You can do that before work, or after, but not during. If you have a specific problem with somebody, confront that person without talking about them behind their backs. That will affect you in the long term. Take responsibility for who you are and accept the fact that people make mistakes. Keep your personal affairs private.
No matter how exhausted you feel, there is always a way out of that zone. Giving up people pleasing will change your life. No more gossip, no more drama, no more manipulating situations. Stay honest, be open, avoid stressful environments, and you will see how your life is going to improve daily.