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It’s the beginning of the week. Let’s talk about work – careers, jobs, employment, occupations, positions within a company – a means of earning income (although I would throw volunteering and being a stay-at-home parent in the same category). Work is a tough one for me. I am a self-proclaimed workaholic.
For many, working defines who you are. When we meet people for the first time, we often start our conversations with what we do for a living. It fills the awkward silence and is an easy place to start. I attended a mental health first aid training this past weekend and chuckled to myself as each of us went around and introduced ourselves… most of us began our introductions with what we do for a living, followed by why we were all there and then a few mentions of other familial roles like being a mom. Why does work seem to be the center of our world?
Well for one, it’s a source of income that pays rent or mortgage, and other bills. Most families with children need two incomes these days just to survive. Shout out to all the single parents out there – you are amazing! Work can also be a social outlet for some and why shouldn’t it be…we spend so much time working! With all that time working, comes a level of stress that may interfere with other aspects of life. I’ve been there, done that, and am constantly reminded of the importance of keeping myself in check.
I am on faculty at a local university and prepare my college students to be teachers. Teachers today are under a tremendous amount of pressure and the expectations placed upon their shoulders are enormous. Trust me when I say that we in higher education are feeling it too. It’s easy to get caught up in the “I have so much work to do that I am going to work into the evening to get ahead” mentality. Newsflash – you never get caught up! There is always something else, or another email, or someone wants you to do something else that so-and-so didn’t do right the first time. When you are a workaholic and a people-pleaser like me, this is dangerous and can have a negative impact on your health.
So how do we take care of ourselves AND be successful at our careers? Here are some ideas that I’ve picked up along the way. I’m a work in progress, and would like to think that I do these all the time. I don’t, but I do try:
Tips for Success
1. Set Goals. What do you want to accomplish in your job? Think long-term and short-term. Revisit your goals often and ask yourself if you are making progress (or not). Revise them when necessary. Make sure your goals are realistic. This is hard for those of us who want to change the world, but necessary in order to keep a balanced life. Goals will give you something to look forward to, and will help you work deliberately and productively, rather than incidentally or reactively (it’s not good to feel like you are constantly putting out fires!)
2. Enhance Your Learning. Professional development is trendy right now. Information is literally at our fingertips (be careful of wandering into the Internet only to get deeper and deeper into a sea of information that distracts you from your original intention!) I personally enjoy reading and attending workshops. Pick up a book that will inspire you to become a better employee, coworker or leader. Set an example for others. Strive for enhancing your character and motivating others who may need your help. One of the reasons I am pursuing my licensure in mental health counseling is because I think it will enhance my career as a professor, and hopefully the things I am learning will trickle down to others.
3. Reflection. If you haven’t tried keeping a reflection journal of some sorts, this is a great way to become self-aware of your progress toward work and other life goals. It becomes a record or log of successful (and perhaps not so successful) outcomes. Use it to address your frustrations as well as your hopes and dreams related to your job.
4. Exercise and nutrition. Yes. Exercise at work! Your body needs to move to achieve peak performance. Remember, physical activity increases brain function and energy levels, as well as helps people handle stress more effectively. Healthy eating habits are important to keep your energy levels high and to maintain a positive mood. I recently had a colleague at work tell me that every time she got up to use the restroom, she would take that opportunity to walk around the building. If you have the flexibility, try planning to walk at a certain time each day – make it a habit.
5. Positivity. This one is my favorite and one that I make every effort to keep in the forefront. Not only will remaining positive (even in the face of stress or negativity by others) help you, it will set an example for others around you. Be very mindful of this. When you speak to co-workers or leaders in your organization, be proactive rather than reactive. Stay away from gossip and strive to be that person who is known by others as the one who sees the glass as half full. It sounds cliché but this has always helped me in my career.
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
- by Henry David Thoreau
