Freedom @ Work

Swati Rai

Starting this Independence Day, take measures to sidestep career pitfalls like stress, negativity and stagnation.

Freedom from negativity

If pessimism seeps into our attitude when faced with a challenge at work then the battle is lost before it is begun.

Negative thoughts about people, places and projects can sound the death knell of even the most enterprising ideas and thoughts. Seek freedom form dark thoughts and judge the pros and cons of an action before deciding on rejecting it entirely. Be a positive and a willing team worker and an enthusiastic learner.

Before succumbing to negativity do a quick SWOT analysis of the situation, assess the risk factor and then candidly lay your cards on the table.

Be realistic and don’t overreach yourself and team goals. Take criticism well and work on improving your performance accordingly. Observe others while at work and learn to adopt their good work ethics.

Negativity pulls you down and pushes you back, so steer clear of gossip, bad mouthing others and talking ill of colleagues. Stay positive to attract positivity while at work. This will help enhance your professional profile too.

Stress free work

Yes, research does state that an optimum level of stress is required for efficiency to be maintained and deadlines to be met. However, going overboard and obsessing about deadlines and trying to meet unrealistic career goals, can not only bring you down, but also have an adverse effect on your colleagues and team mates. Prioritise what is important but not urgent, and what is urgent and important that needs to be addressed. Multi-tasking can sometimes be overrated, so make a list, put down your thoughts on the basis of priority to avoid stress.

Unwanted competition, and unsavory arguments at work can not only create an adverse image of yours but also trigger stress.

Sedentary style of work, long working hours, fewer breaks and procrastination are found to be major reasons of stress at work. Do away with these by taking short productive physical and mental breaks. Stretching exercises at work can also come in handy to alleviate the tension. Most importantly, make time for yourself by indulging in hobbies and pursuing interests. Follow a mental timetable and timeline to finish and meet deadlines.

Be alert and enthusiastic about projects and take initiative after assessing the feasibility of seeing the future project through.

Freedom from the need to be popular

Know that you are not in it for winning a Mr/Miss Congeniality. It doesn’t however mean you rub people the wrong way, or be brusque for no rhyme or reason.

Acknowledge the fact that one can’t be liked by all, at all times. Also being ‘liked’ and being respected for one’s professional accountability are not the same things. There are times when one has to be firm though polite, exacting though tolerant, in one’s professional domain. Such official requirements might end up making one ‘unpopular’. But it is better to be so than be termed unprofessional. Maintaining an image of being affable and amiable is all fine, but not at the risk of professional propriety. At the end of the day, there is a difference between being a boss and bossing over people.