At some point in our careers or jobs, we have felt "burned out." It
doesn't matter whether or not you have a good paying position, one way
or another, directly or indirectly, workplace stress, if not dealt with
the right away, could get to you.
My first job in my late teens
was at a burger joint, I was making a mere $4.25/hr. Life was good. No
responsibility. I just have myself to take care of. But it wasn't enough
for me to settle. The kind of stress that got me was very simple,
considering my age and lifestyle. I was assigned to work in the front,
taking orders. On slower days, I had to do both the front and drive-thru
registers by myself. The manager would send someone home to save some
corporate money. Back then I worked and studied full-time. It was a good
stress, I would say. It gave me the motivation to pursue life and my
future.
So I got my diploma and began my career, and second
career later, something would always remain the same; no matter how much
you change your jobs and careers in your lifetime, stress will always
be constant.
Unfortunately, workplace stress is something that is
often linked with poor management and/or having a difficult boss. Well,
this can only be partly true, and I completely agree. It does not
matter if you feel overworked, underpaid and never appreciated, if you
don't do something about it, then you are in full acceptance. This is
when the feeling of being "burned out," if not resentment, comes in.
Personally,
there were a couple of times in my earlier careers, where I felt
"overworked, underpaid and never appreciated," but that was then. I
dont' sweat the small stuff these days. No, it is not that I no longer
feel immune to workplace stress, remember, it is constant, right? I just
don't let it get to me.
Now, if you are feeling overworked,
underpaid and never appreciated yourself, either on a daily basis or
occasionally, you may find your boss as an easy target and a scapegoat
for every work-related stress that is happening around you. As mentioned
above, this is just partly true. In light of this topic, here are seven
questions to ask yourself that may help you understand how to handle
your workplace stress better, or better yet, handle your ill feelings
about your difficult boss:
1. Assess the situation and understand
your emotions. In stressful workplace situations, you don't have to
react negatively and feel like a victim everytime. Your boss may be
acting difficult right this minute, but, look at the bigger picture and
see where it's coming from. How you respond to that stressful situation
could make or break you. If you feel like reacting, keep your cool and
just try to walk away. Being proactive is the better approach.
2.
Communicate with your boss in a manner where it can end up as "win-win"
situation for both parties, and not just one. A workplace relationship
can be compared to that of a marriage, For it to work, both parties need
to learn how to communicate effectively to the other person. Try to
find out the root of the problem so that you can deal with it
appropriately. Remember to attack the problems, not the person.
3.
Remember to separate your personal from your work issues (always). If
you just heard a comment from your boss that you did not quite get, and
makes you want to take it as a personal attack...stop! It has been said
and done, no need to make it worse at this point. You cannot change what
your boss had said, but, you can certainly control your emotions and
respond more "professionally." Notice I said, professionally, since it
should not be taken personally. If you have work ethics and you would
like to stay in this job, you would be the better person. Do not let it
go out of hand, remember No. 1 and No. 2 above, you assess the situation
and take it proactively.
4. Even if you feel stressed out, with
your back against the wall, find reasons to stay. Don't make excuses of
why you have to stay eventhough you feel miserable at the present time,
instead, find reasons to stay at your workplace right now and link it to
your future. Professional advancement is a great reason to stay. Focus
with the positives more and less with the stress. Stress is constant and
everywhere, the only person that can change it is you.
5. Change
your outlook and take a remark from your difficult boss in a
constructive manner. Instead of taking a remark from your boss
negatively, try to look at it with your rosy colored glasses and make
something positive out of it.
6. Empower yourself as an employee.
Empowering yourself as an employee does not mean you have to go against
your employer's workplace policy and become a rebel about everything.
It simply means changing the way you see yourself, look at the bigger
picture. Replaced negative things with positive ones. Don't allow your
mind to see yourself as a victim, instead, see yourself as a workplace
asset.
7. Don't sweat the small stuff. Each individual has a
different way in dealing with stress. What you view as a stressful
situation may not be the case with another individual. The key is to
understand yourself better. Practice grace under pressure. The more you
practice control, the less stressed out you become.
Share your thoughts and ideas on how to deal with workplace stress and difficult boss effectively.
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