Do you ever feel dissatisfied with your job or position? Maybe it is overwhelm, exhaustion, the heavy weight of your responsibility or authority or maybe you are just over your head in your leadership role. If I can be so bold to say that this is normal at different times and seasons of a leader’s life, but it doesn’t have to be.
So why did you become a leader? More than likely it was the chance to impact others and improve the organization you are working in. May you wanted to change the world which often is the case for new leaders. Leadership can be glamorous because you are given authority, power, there is oversight of budgets and opportunities to make things happen. Then reality hits. This is where the struggle lies and where leaders step into their purpose!
"Be encouraged, you cannot change the past but use it to inform your future!"
― Timothy Seeley
What happens though is that leaders get into the messy middle and wrestle with the thoughts in their head which can lead to either resentment or entitlement. The two attitudes often switch back and forth. Resentment is when you question your role and start to become bitter and harbor ill feelings about those around you and your situation. Entitlement on the flip side is when you assume that what you have such as the benefits and perks are owed to you because of how hard you’ve worked or the challenges you face every day. It can also lead to the assumption that others don’t realize your hard work and sacrifice. So, how do you overcome the dissatisfaction, resentment or entitlement mentality and enjoy your work?
Let me share with you 4 ways to enjoy work and have a better life!
- 1Don’t be a victim of your past. Part of getting to where you are involves struggle which can weight on your thoughts and be reflected in your interactions with others. For me this can be the narrative I play in my mind. Do you ever think about the would have, should have scenario’s? This was a struggle for most of my life and still I have to catch myself when I go down that road. Be encouraged that you cannot change the past but use it to inform your future! You have agency and choices which you can make to move forward and into the future you desire!
- 2Be thankful and show gratitude. There are so many things that you can be thankful for. When you find yourself in the space of negativity, stop and check yourself and switch your thinking. Be mindful of the good things in life and all the beauty that is around you. Being thankful and having gratitude is contagious. Listen to this quote from Zig Ziglar. “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more like you’ll have even more to express gratitude for.” Wise words indeed!
- 3Be self-aware of your emotions. When you are overwhelmed and exhausted it is hard to think straight or in those times your emotions can get away from you in your interactions with others. I am preaching to the choir here because this has been a challenge for me over the years. I have stated this many times and need to be reminded of it often that in those times it is helpful to pause. Take a moment and evaluate what is going on and the emotions that you are feeling. Fear, anger, resentment or frustration. Often just acknowledging them will defuse them. At least it will give you a chance to think through a response and what is said will be tempered more so than what your first response would have been.
- 4Remember the end game! Life is a journey where the challenges of the immediate will seem inconsequential when you look back after time has passed. I encourage you to be present and enjoy the ride. The things that may be pressing or seem important today may be but don’t get so emotionally involved that you can’t enjoy the people, experience and joy of what you are doing. Life is too short!
I truly believe you have value and have much to bring to the world! If you are feeling stuck or are overwhelmed, I would love to talk with you to help you work your challenges out where you can enjoy your work and be present in life. Your legacy awaits!
