Move from burnout to inspiration.
We all have days at work when nothing goes right. Usually, we shrug it off and hope that tomorrow is better.
However,
when those days start blending together, and you notice your energy for
work dwindling week after week, you may start realizing that it's not
just an "off" month--you're unhappy at work.
This isn't uncommon. In fact, according to Gallup's
most recent engagement survey, only 34 percent of Americans are engaged
with their work--which means 66 percent aren't. Furthermore, of that 66
percent, 13 percent are actively disengaged, meaning they openly show
and express their displeasure at work (which is pretty toxic for
themselves and anyone around them).
The question is then, what should we do when we feel a dip in engagement at work? Successful people,
those who love their work and have careers that are continually moving
in a positive direction, take this kind of situation seriously. They
take action.
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| © Fuse/Getty Images Woman in Office Cubicle Daydreaming |
And you can, too. Here are four steps you can take when you start
feeling this way. They'll help ensure you aren't stuck in a rut for too
long.
Step 1: Start Tracking
When you feel
inklings of dissatisfaction, you may be tempted to ignore them, to
believe they aren't a big deal and will likely wane on their own. But
the truth is, we often don't realize how pervasive tough situations at
work can really be. That's why we need data.
Feel free to download my Performance tracker,
a tool that's like a Fitbit for your work performance. Within a few
weeks of filling it out, you'll have the data you need to understand
your feelings and diagnose them accurately.
Step 2: Analyze the Data
It's
easy to blame your negative feelings on other people or on external
factors. And perhaps your feelings are associated with your manager,
your colleagues, or the organization itself.
But you also want to make sure you rule out confidence issues
or internal emotional baggage that needs to be resolved before you
start changing your environment or the people around you. In many cases,
there's a bit of internal work you can do that'll help you make your
next move with confidence. Get to the root cause before taking action.
Step 3: Be Confident and Fearless
If
you diagnose the situation and conclude that your job, colleagues, or
organization aren't the right fit for who you are, be confident about
that realization. You may be tempted to conform to the group--even when
it isn't the right one for you. Resist that temptation. If you realize
you have to move on, be excited, fearless, and clear that this has
nothing to do with your value. It's just time to move on to an
opportunity that's more aligned with who you are.
Or, maybe you
realize that you're actually in the right place and simply need to be
more proactive about creating opportunities that fits your personality
and strengths. Either way, go to the next step.
Step 4: Create a Plan
Whether it's for looking for new opportunities
or re-thinking your approach to your existing job, it's time to take
action. As you develop and implement your plan, continue to fill out the
performance tracker.
The reality is, you have more power than you
know. The business world is (finally!) embracing job hopping, and great
companies want their people to be proactive with their careers and
performance. Being successful isn't about waiting around for something
to happen--it's about taking the steps you need to move forward. You
have to be an advocate for yourself and constantly look for projects,
opportunities, and jobs that are a great fit for who you are.
Once
you're comfortable with the above steps, you'll see that being happy at
work isn't something that should be left to luck. You must take
strategic action. Before long, the feeling of unhappiness will be
something you pay attention to and work to change, not something you
just accept and endure.
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