Is my work working for me? To stay or not to Stay?
In theory, when there’s a potential problem, we can name the problem, the needed adjustment, and our chosen method of making that adjustment, which helps make a workable action plan and poof!! The problem disappears the first time we try the action plan! However, in this real world we live in, there are a lot of factors that are totally unforeseen and or out of our control that we run into when we actually work the action plan. So, what if you do all the steps and write up a beautiful action plan, but realize, afterwards, there’s a barrier within the action plan that is just not moveable at the moment? How do we keep from feeling like we’re stuck in the problem either forever or at the whim of others who might not have our best interest at heart? How do we develop an eye for our personal realm of control and mindfully make conscious choices within that realm toward a workable solution?
6 tipped external barrier work around
Internal/external? : Is my action plan’s obstacle coming from inside me (Example: Self-doubt, lack of consistency and follow through) and/ or from my environment? Examples of external barriers could be a toxic environment (you are so unaccepted that asking for accommodations wouldn’t be worth it), not a good fit of personalities, too resistant to accommodate your needs. For simplicity sake, the rest of this blog will address external boundaries. But stay tuned for the next blog on internal boundaries.
Flip the barrier upside down: In the case of external boundaries, list the specific external boundary/boundaries you’re facing. How would you love each of them to look different? The answer/s to this question might not be attainable within your current environment, but a list of positively stated hopes for a future environment can serve as a great template as to what kind of environment you want in your future, weather its keeping an eye out for possibilities of those specific things in your current position or within your next work adventure, so save this list. Reflecting on it daily can also help you attract what’s important to you instead of wasting energy pushing away what doesn’t work for you. Sort of like letting gravity pull you downhill compared to pushing a boulder up the hill.
Entertain current opportunities: Now that expectations of your ideal environment are a little more clear, invite curiosity into any small or possibly workable windows of opportunity within your current environment you might not have considered yet. If one arises, perhaps write and try an action plan for it. If not, continue to the next tip.
Define the line: What specific conditions in your interpersonal, financial, negative emotions (anxiety/depression),or family life would need to happen to inform you it's time to leave your current job? How emotionally unhealthy and pervasive do your interpersonal work relationships and or anxiety and depression need to get for you to jump ship? How much other financial support and family adjustments need to be made for you to feel secure enough to leave?
Make your Escape Plan: Based on your defined lines above, what specific actions within each area can you do to prepare yourself for a shift in jobs? Examples can be going to school, taking a training course, shifting expenses in your personal life to accommodate a bigger nest egg, pursuing self or temporary employment, or shifting family roles around to accommodate for the shift in income. Based on this plan, mark your calendar for your predicted jump ship date!
Work your plan: As you’re putting your plan in action, know that even though you might not be out of the unwanted environment yet, you are making steps in the right direction for you and in a way that works best for your unique self.
To wrap up, encountering barriers to your action plan that are out of your control can be discouraging and intimidating at first. But, the above tips have hopefully trained your eyes to see the choices you do have in the situation as well as the continued hope of a work life that works for you, even if a change of environments is necessary. Stay tuned for next time on navigating internal barriers in your work action plan