With the new year, many people reassess their goals and seek ways to improve their lives. Finding joy at work can sometimes feel challenging, especially in demanding roles. However, this is an ideal time to take charge of your work satisfaction and implement positive changes. Effective strategies include focusing on what you can control, being open about challenges, and adopting a growth mindset. This article outlines five ways to enhance work enjoyment and set a positive tone for the year ahead. Regain a sense of control, resilience, and enjoyment for a more fulfilling professional experience.
1. Find Your Inner Ally
Many people experience negative inner dialogue, thinking, “The passengers must be disappointed in my landings,” or “I am not good enough.” When feeling down, these thoughts can be persistent and damaging to your self-esteem. However, transforming your inner critic into an ally can offer vital support. Embracing the feelings and practicing self-compassion can help you stay grounded during challenging situations.
Action Steps:
- Identify your inner critic's favorite phrase. (E.g., “You are not good enough.”)
- Consider a more encouraging response your inner ally might offer. (E.g., “You have come a long way; be proud of yourself.”)
- Write it down and keep it nearby for easy access.
2. Embrace Vulnerability
Admitting when you do not know something, acknowledging mistakes, or feeling overwhelmed can often feel daunting in a professional environment. Many individuals fear that showing vulnerability might undermine their credibility or make them appear less competent. However, embracing vulnerability can be a significant benefit both personally and professionally.
Why it is worthy to be vulnerable:
- You often find that you are not alone in your struggles; other people, including your colleagues, often share similar challenges.
- In addition, sharing your experiences fosters deeper connections and trust with others.
- Pretending everything is fine may prevent you from receiving support when needed.
- Accepting vulnerabilities promotes a healthier self-image and encourages self-compassion.
- Acknowledging your feelings allows for emotional clarity, contributing to better mental health.
- Embracing vulnerability shifts the focus from perfection to learning, encouraging continuous improvement and adaptability.
Action Steps:
- Identify someone with whom you can practice being vulnerable this week.
- What would you like to share with them?
- Start small. Instead of sharing your biggest concerns with your copilot, start by discussing a minor challenge you faced on a recent flight, like navigating a tricky approach or managing a tight schedule. This will set the stage for more open communication.
Afterwards:
- Reflect on their reaction. How did they respond?
- Reflect on yourself: Was it a positive or negative experience to share with this person?
- Consider asking for their feedback; it may feel awkward initially, but it is valuable.
3. Focus on Your Circle of Control
In any workplace, it is common to encounter frustrations, whether it is a captain who always has to be right or taking a delay for weather. These distractions can create a sense of helplessness and detract from overall job satisfaction. Recognizing that much of what causes stress in professional environments stems from focusing on factors beyond your control is essential. Stephen Covey's concept of the Circle of Influence offers a helpful concept for navigating challenges (See the article from Aero Crew News’ December issue.)
Understanding the Circles: This model encourages individuals to differentiate between two circles. The outer circle represents concerns and issues that may affect their work but cannot be changed, such as market fluctuations, company policies, or external conflicts.
The inner circle, on the other hand, encompasses the aspects where they can exert influence, including their own actions, personal reactions, and communication.
Concentrating on the aspects you can influence can make you feel more in control and less frustrated. For instance, instead of fixating on that know-it-all captain, focus on your own beliefs and reactions. And rather than dwelling on weather delays, focus on how you can prepare for potential changes, communicate effectively with the crew, and maintain a positive attitude during waiting periods.
Action Steps
- Identify the challenges you face that are beyond your control.
- What behaviors or reactions can you change?
- What critical insight did you gain from using the Circle of Influence?
4. Your Actions Matter
When you experience success at work, do you attribute it to your effort and skills? When reflecting on successes, how you attribute your achievements as crucial in shaping your mindset and overall outlook. Do you credit your work-related accomplishments to your efforts and skills or dismiss them as luck? This distinction is more than just a matter of perspective; it can significantly influence how one navigates challenges and setbacks. The concept of “locus of control” explains how individuals perceive their influence over outcomes.
- Internal locus of control: Those with an internal locus of control believe their actions shape their lives, fostering a sense of agency, optimism, and resilience. They set goals, seek solutions, and view challenges as growth opportunities.
- External locus of control: Those with an external locus of control feel that events are beyond their influence and often attribute outcomes to luck or fate. This can lead to helplessness and discouragement, reducing motivation and hindering personal growth.
Action Steps:
- Identify a work situation where you feel powerless. Replace negative thoughts (e.g., “I cannot change this.”) with more optimistic alternatives (e.g., “What can I do to help influence this situation?”).
- What negative thoughts do you have regarding this situation?
- What positive, proactive thoughts could replace the negative?
- By being more aware of your influence and taking action, you cultivate a more optimistic and resilient mindset.
5. Allow Growth
What is the key to success for those who thrive in their careers? They view mistakes as opportunities for growth and see their skills as something they can develop rather than fixed traits.
Psychologist Carol S. Dweck developed the concepts of “fixed mindset” and “growth mindset,” which explore how these different internalized beliefs influence motivation, learning, and achievement. (See the article in October’s issue.)
Fixed Mindset – People with a fixed mindset often believe their talents and intelligence are innate and unchangeable. This mindset leads to increased stress and a fear of failure. It prevents them from taking on challenges that might expose their limitations. When faced with setbacks, they may feel defeated and less inclined to push themselves.
Growth Mindset – In contrast, those with a growth mindset see setbacks not as reflections of their abilities but as experiences that contribute to their development. This encourages resilience and an openness to learning opportunities. They understand that effort and perseverance lead to improvement, which helps them navigate obstacles more effectively.
Action Steps:
- Reflect on a recent work situation where you faced a setback.
- What negative thoughts did you have about yourself in that situation?
- How could you reframe those thoughts with a growth mindset?
- Consider what actions you could take to foster growth and resilience in your work challenges.
Final Thoughts
Focusing on one or more of these strategies can help you feel happier at work and in life. Embracing these approaches can help enhance resilience, promote a more positive outlook, and improve overall job and life satisfaction.
Emerald Mental Health works with pilots in counseling and coaching roles, helping those in high-pressure jobs boost their resilience. This support empowers individuals to face challenges confidently and have a more positive outlook in their personal and professional lives.
Reach out for a free consultation today. Visit www.emeraldmentalhealth.com for more information.
Resources:
Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change. Free Press.
Dweck, C. S. (2020). Mindset: The new psychology of success (Updated ed.). Random House.
Psych Associates. (n.d.). The benefits of vulnerability. https://psychassociates.net/the-benefits-of-vulnerability/ Psychology Today. (n.d.). Locus of control. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/locus-of-control
