As we gear up for the post-New Year return back to work, it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions. Whether you own a business or work for an employer, they can be as equally difficult.
If you’re experiencing a sense of dread or anxiety about heading back to work, I have been there! This blog is for you – I want to offer you some practical solutions to help you to personally tackle those negative feelings for yourself.
Understanding Your Feelings
The first thing that you MUST do is focus on yourself to understand what it is that you need. It could be that you just feel like something’s off but can’t quite put your finger on it?
Take a moment to reflect on what aspects of your work contribute to your negative feelings. Try to identify the source. Is it the workload, the dynamics with colleagues, or certain tasks that drain you?
Or you may be aware of what that is, such as you have a boss, colleagues, or client that you find particularly challenging, and don’t relish the prospect of going back to work to have to face them again. Staying at home eating all the leftover Christmas food, seems like a much better idea!
It maybe that you really want to change but not sure what you want to do, because the job offers you the flexibility that you really need. Or you just need some helpful information to be able to make your work situation more fulfilling.
The more aware that you become around these feelings and the triggers the clearer solutions become. It may feel uncomfortable at first or emotional, sit with them as long as you can.
Growing Personally and Professionally
By taking time to think about how you feel you will hopefully have come up with some solutions.
Depending on the issue, it may also be worth Seeking Guidance from friends, mentors, colleagues, or supervisors. Who might be able to provide a fresh perspective can provide insights into overcoming challenges and finding fulfilment in your work.
Do you need to develop more positive relationships with your colleagues? If relationships with colleagues need improvement, remember that while we can’t change someone else’s behaviour, we can change our own. As Wayne Dyer suggests, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
Do you need to consider exploring opportunities to enhance your skills? This could be through online courses, workshops, and seminars. These steps can provide a valuable boost to your technical expertise and open up new possibilities, boosting your confidence.
Embrace Change
If the suggestions above don’t resonate because you’ve already tried everything and know the job isn’t right for you, it might be time to consider a change.
Don’t rush this, take the time to understand what you truly want before making any hasty decisions. Use the information you have from your current position to help inform your decisions.
I’ll be discussing career goals in another blog next week. Whether you make small changes to your behaviour, skills, or environment or decide to pursue a bigger change, you’re taking meaningful steps toward a more positive work experience.
Add any comments below, about any negative feeling you’re having or what you have changed in order to manage a similar situation.
Wishing you a year filled with positive transformations.