Be Inspired..!!

“It is Strictly Business, Not Personal”…..Type it in bold letters and pin it on your work station at a place where you can always see it and remind yourself of this vital truth again and again.

Emotions drive people’s behaviour at the workplace. If you don’t feel appreciated or valued for doing your work, you feel discouraged, angry and frustrated. One negative thing leads to another and then one day on some trivial issue, the volcano erupts and the red lava pours out aka “Creating a Scene” at the workplace. This usually happens with people who are passionate about their work and feel that their work is adding value but don’t get appreciated for it by their peers, which is disheartening.

But, well “Reality Check” we live in a competitive world where everyone is busy “making it to the top alone”. No one shall take out time to give you a pat on the back for your work, not because you haven’t done well but just because they don’t have time or they know you are doing a good job and think that you know it too so why mention. I don’t blame them personally as we all are the same. So, what to do when you really can’t stop feeling dejected at work? Here are some pointers:

1. Manage your emotions – Take a break and evaluate any situation which is ticking you off. Why are you angry? Is it something wrong with the situation or person? Or are you angry over something else like not getting a parking place outside the office in the morning or that huge jam that you got stuck in or simply the maid didn’t turn up that day? Why are your stressed out? Now you may say how do I remember to think before I burst out? Take a breathe, don’t react immediately. Keep quite even if the situation is provoking you to pull your hair-out. Distract yourself, walk away.

2. Manage your expectations – Write down the things which are important to you ? What are your trying to achieve in your life? If feeling appreciated at work were not an issue and everyone loved your work, what is it that you would like to do with your career or work? Close your eyes and think now?…………Got it? Even on reason would do. Well if you have your ultimate goal sorted in your head….everyday go to your workplace thinking “What is that one thing I can do today which will take me closer to my ultimate goal?”. Once you have this sorted, forget about the world, its appreciations and work for yourself. Everyday teaches you something new, be open to learning. Don’t beat yourself up.

3. The person who does quality work gets the least praise 😛 – Its your job to do amazing work, I mean that is what you are paid for right. Just because you are not getting acknowledgments doesn’t mean people do not appreciate you. Keep on adding value to the organisation. Look at the bigger picture.

4. Praise others – Just because you lack acknowledgments in your life doesn’t mean that you can’t give it to others. Be a motivator yourself. If you see someone doing good work, go and tell them that you appreciate what fantastic work they have done. Trust me a simple handshake with GENUINE (mind the word) praise can work wonders. So what you are having a bad day coz your boss doesn’t appreciate you, brighten up somebody else’s day.

5. Avoid complaining – Stop talking about how bad your work or how crappy your peers are or how people always take your for granted. Instead start talking about all the incredible work you are doing. Yes, brag about how your work is helping the organisation to grow.

Do not get too attached the acknowledgement at work. You are making yourself more vulnerable to harsh criticism from others. Remember everyone is fighting their own battle at the workplace, from the CEO who drives an Audi to a pantry guy who serves you coffee (By the way when was the last time you appreciated the pantry guy for serving you, and taking away your used cups? Don’t know? Well do it next time). You are your own source of internal validation. You are doing good work because that what the company hired you to do.

Image Courtesy: Google.com