If you were asked, “Is your job taking over your life?” what would your answer be?
All too often, I have conversations about people’s work. I hear, “I can’t complete the workload within my working day, so I work in the evenings and weekends to complete all the tasks,” or, “If I don’t do it, then it will not get done.”
What Would Happen?
If those seeming to be efficient and on top of everything all the time suddenly ground to a halt, would the company close down? Would the world stop revolving?
No. Everything would continue.
Why do we so often think, “I am the only one who can do my job”?
Me Too
I, too, used to think like this. I have not investigated the reason why because there is no need to keep digging into the past when we want more freedom to do the things that bring us joy.
Was it workaholicism? I was a workaholic and believed that two things would happen if I didn’t work.
I thought there would be no food on the table for my children and husband. The worst case scenario was that I would lose my home. I believed I was the only person capable of doing all the roles in my workplace.
Was any of this true?
No. I still have a home; my children are now 32 and 34, and I have never lost my home!
Do I wish I had done things differently?
Not really. When I was working I was at my happiest. There was no feeling of low vibrational emotions or the thinking that accompanied them.
Who Are You Helping?
I searched online for “Getting your work done in 7 hours”, and there were 16,170,000,000 results.
Most offered help on achieving more in less time. But is this useful when working for a company or employer who wants their pound of flesh?
I have a friend who used to appear uber-efficient to other work colleagues. Unfortunately, it led to resentment towards her in the workplace.
The employers saw that she was meeting targets and even had time for cigarette breaks. However, no one enquired as to how she achieved the results.
She would spend her evenings and weekends prepping her work to stay ahead of the game. When I worked for training and assessing employers and then as a college lecturer, I would take the work home—working 60+ hours when my contracts were 35-37 hours per week.
I eventually left the industry. I had watched as my colleagues went off on long-term sick leave. I had previously cut down on drinking and abusing alcohol but found that my consumption had risen considerably in the last nine months. I was telling myself that I needed a drink to unwind and cope. That was not the truth, but at least I was at a stage in my life where I could see the bigger picture and create change.
What About You?
Are you happy in your place of work? Is your job taking over your life? There are plenty of people who enjoy their places of work. However, it does not mean that employers should take advantage of the staff.
What Can You Do?
If you are not happy, it could be that a change is needed. List all the activities and things that bring you joy, look at what you are good at, and maybe do this activity with a close friend or partner. So often, we do not see ourselves as others do and, more often than not, we are very good at belittling our achievements.
Update your C.V. and start looking for employment where you will find fulfilment.
If you are happy with your work but not with the employer, let them know what it is you would like to change.
Every year managers sit with staff and review their performance. You may have to complete your review first and discuss it with your manager. Here is the perfect time to share your concerns. Feedback is a two-way street. I often hear people say, “What’s the point? They never listen anyway,” or, “It’s always been that way; they’ll never change.”
Take Action and Change Your Destiny
If you can read thoughts and honestly know what the future holds, then do nothing as there will be no point trying to change anything.
But if no-one takes any action, change will never happen. Making small actions is how we evolve and grow. Affirmations, feng shui, and the law of attraction all work, but with all that, you still have to take action.
Albert Einstein said the definition of insanity is, “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
If you don’t take action, nothing will change.
Here are links to two H.R. companies that can answer H.R. questions if you need advice.
crescitahr-od.co.uk/contact-us
If you would like to find out more about how I can help you achieve balance and joy in your life, contact me for a free, no-obligation call.
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