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Be objective, get rid of secret doubts
Work plays an important role in our overall happiness, yet a lot of people are stuck in jobs they hate. The reasons behind unhappiness in the job seem to be universal. Monotony, lack of recognition, little opportunity to display creativity and initiative, office politics, a bad boss and toxic workplace culture, figure in the gripe list of most people.
However, finding happiness at work is not as dependent on any of the external factors mentioned above, as it is on personal attitude. A negative attitude or a feeling of helplessness can be much more destructive than monotony or a bad boss.
Don’t colour situations
Like many people, I got stuck in a job that offered little creativity and fulfillment in the initial phase of my career. I just sat around and moped, feeling angry about the unfairness of it all. I grew more frustrated by the day, until finally I decided to quit. Although I got a better paying job, I was disappointed when I realised that the situation here was not much different.
I realised that the perfect job was not within the reach of everybody. I realised that the responsibility for creating happiness in my life was my own, and it made all the difference to how I felt about the job. The lessons I learnt helped me survive tough situations and difficult jobs.We colour situations with our perceptions, prejudices and attitude to create personal experiences, and no matter how bad your situation, you always have the option to choose happiness over unhappiness.
Cultivate objectivity and get rid of secret doubts and self-defeating attitudes that you may be harboring in your mind. Every person is born with unique talents. Find out yours. One of my friends had a great job in the software industry, but he was not a particularly good programmer. He was unhappy in his job for a long time. When he finally found the courage to answer his true calling, which was marketing, many of his well meaning friends and colleagues discouraged him from taking such a drastic step, saying that he would be throwing away a bright career in IT by opting for a lower paying and less glamorous field like marketing.
My friend was not deterred by all this because he had finally come to the realisation that he would make only an average programmer- but if he chose to, he could become an extraordinary salesman.
He made the switch and ended much happier and more successful than he would have ever been as a programmer.
Lessons to remember
Success never comes without innumerable failures. All emotions, including pleasure and pain fade with time.
These are facts of life, and the sooner you come to terms with them, the better you will become at handling extreme emotions.
When you are less emotional, you will be able to think more clearly, manage setbacks and solve problems more effectively.
Focus on what brings you happiness and satisfaction and think about your goals instead of what you want to flee from.
Have a life plan. Whether it is about achieving success in your profession or establishing your business, you need to have a plan and clear goals in mind. Your plans and priorities may change over time, but always plan at least for one step ahead. People who have clear life goals are more likely to be successful in their endeavors that those who coast aimlessly from one situation to another.
Take action
Don’t wait for a godfather or good fortune to rescue you from a bad situation. Life always rewards action. Grab the chance to do something new, even if it means taking a risk or two. Learn new skills if it can help you do your job better or get a lateral transfer to another department.
If you think you do not belong in the place you work in currently, cut the strings quickly and move on. But whatever you do, be clear about your next goals and immediate priorities.
And remember, if you make happiness your priority, you will find a way to it, no matter how tough things get.
BINDU SRIDHAR
faqs@cnkonline.com
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