Do you like your job? Are you getting the attention, appreciation, and acceptance you seek? Do you like working with your fellow employees? Does this work uplift you? Are you serving others?
Senenty percent of all workers are disengaged or actively disengaged, according to The Energy Project. Its newest research reveals that workers today are exhausted, emotionally depleted, unfocused and lacking purpose. Also reported, is that 59 percent don't regularly get enough sleep, 69 percent have difficulty focusing on one thing at a time and are easily distracted during the day, especially by email, and 58 percent say there are significant gaps between what they say is important in their life and how they actually live. Yikes!
- Do you often find yourself watching the clock at work - waiting for the day to end?
- Do you find yourself feeling anxious on Monday morning?
- Do you often wish you were someplace else?
- Does more than 50 percent of your total stress come from your work?
- Do you feel you are underpaid? Over worked?
If you answered "yes" once - there's still hope; twice, it's time to find a more rewarding vocation; three times - what are you still doing there? Get out now! If you dread your job, find yourself counting the seconds till you leave, and are totally stressed out - you are damaging yourself unnecessarily.
Now, think about when you're NOT stressed: when you lose track of time, you feel inspired, and life seems to flow easily. Is it when you're engaged in a specific activity, such as writing a presentation, motivating people, solving problems or decorating a space? Or do you find that certain behaviors feed you emotionally, such as engaging in conversation, feeling part of something, laughing with friends, or spending time alone? Can you work these nourishing behaviors into your current role? You'll experience deeper fulfillment at work if so.
Here are three other powerful steps you can take every day to keep you de-stressed at work:
- Gain clarity on expectations. Stress is easily dissipated through clarity. And if we can have clarity around what all of our co-workers expect from us, we will have less stress. Using conscious communication, ask them. This doesn't mean you have to fulfill everyone's needs regarding your behavior - but at least you will know what the expectations are so that you can either meet and exceed them. This opens up the dialog for you expressing your needs and expectations to every one else.
- Look at your job through the lens of dharma. Seek meaning and purpose in every thought, word, and action you do. Think big picture and look at every task with the thought, "how can I use my unique abilities to help, heal, and serve others."
- Make sure you meet your need of appreciation. Being recognized for our contribution and what we bring to the table is core to destressifying at work. You don't want to become addicted to constant feedback; but a little recognition goes a long way. Start by recognizing the contributions of everyone around you.
Let's also remember that meditation is one of the most powerful tools for staying centered, making more mindful decisions, responding to situations instead of reacting to them, and living a more fulfilling and stress-free life - at work and home. Cultivating a daily practice can be intimidating, but I can show you step by step how to overcome any fears, reservations or questions in my new 5-week online course "The Art of Meditation: A Real-world Guide to Daily Balance, Inner Healing & Self-discovery." It's amazing what you'll discover about yourself during this meditation journey. You'll not only decrease the amount of stress and unease in your life, but you'll find a sense of purpose and fulfillment. You'll strengthen your awareness and connection with the Universe to create a life of joy and self-actualization. If you'd like to learn more visit davidji.com.