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]]>Our jobs keep the lights on, take up much of our waking hours, and sometimes even give our life purpose. Tight deadlines, long days, and uncomfortable talks may all be a big source of stress. Whatever your profession, working might cause worry. Being mindful is beneficial.
Many businesses, including Google and General Mills, have started implementing mindfulness training in the workplace in recent years. There are easy ways to lessen the negative effects of job stress on your mind and body, whether or not your organization offers these benefits.
Mindfulness is a straightforward technique that anybody may use to pay attention to the present moment in an accepting, nonjudgmental way. According to research, it is also a proven way to lessen stress, even at work. Simply put, meditation is a method of mind training.
Most of the time, we are wondering, worrying, fantasizing, focusing on the past, or thinking about the future. By bringing us back to the present, meditation equips us with the skills to be less anxious, more at ease, and more compassionate toward ourselves and others.
The way many firms operate makes “slowing down” and “taking time to focus on wellbeing” counterproductive. You must demonstrate that spending time practicing mindfulness won’t result in negative consequences if you want people to prioritize it at work. Therefore, it is crucial that managers and leaders openly exhibit these behaviors.
Taking a break from work can be quite helpful for finishing the task that needs to be done. Breaks enhance productivity and focus, which improves workers’ mental health and performance.
Meetings scheduled back to back are draining, and employees frequently experience burnout from being “on” all the time. So it can be beneficial for workers to slow down and reacquaint themselves with their sense of self if they get five or ten minutes to “disconnect” between meetings.
Teach brief, easy-to-implement mindfulness practices that staff members can use in their regular work. This can be as straightforward as resisting the urge to use a phone while in line or taking a “purposeful stop” to consider what it’s like to live in one’s body.
Like most things in life, there is no “one size fits all” method for practicing mindfulness. However, there are restrictions to mindfulness that you must keep in mind while building your programs, as much as we may want to enjoy all the advantages of a less stressed, more resilient, and productive staff.
A workplace that is consistently overworked or stressed out cannot be remedied by mindfulness. If your employees are burned out, they may want additional support. But when properly implemented, mindfulness can have a profoundly positive impact on both individuals and the organizations they work for.
BCjobs.ca is Western Canada’s largest job board, and host of “Innovators” a weekly podcast interviewing top recruiters in BC and across Canada. Check out our recent interview with Inga Jonsdottir, Engineering Manager at Wealthsimple (Podcast link) and DataDome’s Chief Marketing Officer, Aurelie Guerierri (Podcast link).
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]]>The post Things Your Manager Doesn’t Tell You appeared first on BC Jobs Blog.
]]>Your manager may never say these things, but you need to hear them:
And I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do. – Michael Scott, The Office
The sad truth of this secret is that sometimes you may work for someone less skilled and qualified than you. It is not in your manager’s interest to advertise this lack, so you will probably find out by observation. The best thing you can do in this scenario is to support your manager with your skills and qualifications – while making them look good. It’s important not to undercut your manager but to emphasize your commitment to the company and to be a good team player.
If you want to use this to your advantage, keep a record of contributions you’ve made to the company so when a promotion gets brought up, you have the evidence to back you. Chances are, if you’ve helped your manager feel less stressed, complete their workload and look good, you’ll be favoured for a promotion.
Once I’m officially Regional Manager, my first order of business will be to demote Jim Halpert. So I will need a new number two. My ideal choice? Jack Bauer. But he is unavailable. Fictional. And over-qualified. – Dwight Schrute, The Office
Though your manager may seem like the All-Seeing Eye at your workplace, it’s important to remember that they are working on a career trajectory that probably doesn’t include working with you forever.
Pay attention to who is being lined up as the next manager. Be sure to keep positive workplace relationships with them. This will establish opportunities once the power dynamics shift.
Business is a doggie dog world. And I am a shark who eats doggie dogs. – Michael Scott, The Office
While your manager may want you to believe that they hold all the cards to your career, that it is almost always untrue. There are things you can do to advance your career without your manager’s permission or approval.
There are two important suggestions we can give you. First, build a good rapport with the entire company, especially CEOs and business owners. Second, promote yourself within the company. Yes, this includes directly asking for promotions, or opportunities that may not normally be handed to you.
“The doctor said, if I can’t find a new way to relate more positively to my surroundings, I’m going to die. I’m going to die.” – Stanley Hudson, The Office
As much as your manager will emphasize a good work ethic, make sure your general attitude at work is positive. When people see you enjoying your life and your job, it contributes to a better work atmosphere for all. You could become people’s go-to if you’ve got a great work ethic to match the great attitude.
Even your manager will notice this, and as they say, ‘honey catches more flies than vinegar’. Check out Psychology Today’s tips for having a positive attitude.
Sometimes I’ll start a sentence, and I don’t even know where it’s going. I just hope I find it along the way. – Michael Scott, The Office
Confidence in the workplace will only help you. Your manager should be comfortable giving you feedback on your work ethic and quality of work, but it’s unlikely they will help you develop your personality.
If you feel unsure in your job, projecting an aura of self-confidence can often give you the motivation you need to figure it out.
I talk a lot, so I’ve learned to just tune myself out… – Kelly Kapoor, The Office
We all know that one coworker who would rather sit alone in a cubicle and pump-out work as fast as a robot (yes, Dwight, we’re looking at you). Turns out, working too hard can be a bad thing. And we know your manager won’t bring this up with you unless you’re costing the company money.
On the flip side, being that one employee who doesn’t stop talking will not endear you to your coworkers. It gives the impression that you’re not serious about your job and honestly it gets annoying.
Creating a balance between socializing and working can help you foster great coworker relationships, and help to keep you positive about your job.
Simon Chou is the Vice President of Operations and Growth at BCjobs.ca. Over the course of his career, he carved a niche in brand development, marketing strategy, and online presence for startups. Prior to BC Jobs, he served as a marketing advisor for high-profile blockchain projects including Litecoin, NEM and Ripple. He’s also worked with fortune 500 companies in the healthcare space.
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