Empowering Yourself in the Workplace (V 2.0)

Heading to your house and lot or condo unit after a grueling day at work is like entering paradise. 

Photo taken by Vance Osterhout

You are far from your nosy workmates, a grumpy boss, and demeaning colleagues. Most of all, you are away from your endless tasks and to-do lists. Even if you enjoy your job at an Arca South office, there are days when you feel like you have no control of the situation at work. Your stats are failing, and you start to question each decision you make. To help you get back on track, here are some ways to gain your confidence and power through your inner struggle.

1. Depend on nobody.

There will still be moments when you have to finish a task on your own even if you are part of a supportive group of talents or encouraging colleagues. Not learning to accomplish these activities on your own won’t help you in the long run. There’s a tendency that you will rely on others to finish simple assignments.

At the same time, try not to give in to the power of asking for approval. It’s natural to ask for help and advice now and then. But relying on criticisms and continuously aiming to hear the “yes” word from each person in the office won’t help you grow. You won’t learn to form your opinion or develop essential decision-making skills.

What you can do:

List all of the instances where you find yourself placing your power to other people when it comes to decision-making. Doing so enables you to recognize the signs when deciding based on other people’s feeling and thoughts. Identify the exact situations that prompt your response. Start working on that.

2. Skip over the stressful events out of your grasp.

The workplace is filled with unexpected events and unforeseeable circumstances. Every day each person is working towards a goal and ambition. Therefore, expect that results will vary most of the time.

Other than that, other things can influence the course of events in the office beside the employees. A clients’ response, for example, can be highly unpredictable. The business environment, company competitors, and the several stakeholders are examples of external factors that can affect your workflow. Unfortunately, you cannot control them. Consider these factors before you spiral into anxiety attacks the next time there’s a mishap at work.

What you can do:

Instead of overthinking and stressing over the things beyond your control, think of the things you can get ahold of such as yourself. Brainstorming for solutions to overcome the commotion is better than reacting to it. Find ways on how to utilize all the factors so they can work to your advantage.

3. Release tension and grudges.

Highly-competitive industries can be intense. People in these places can be over the edge most of the time and be filled with tension. Moreover, they can clash over ideas and values especially when their ego, pride, and ambition are on the line.

If you still harbor ill feeling towards a partner who forgot to give credit to your work or a co-worker who forgot to return your favorite water tumbler, you need to learn to let it go. Harboring hate and other negative feelings are similar to storing poison in your body. When you learn to let go of these feelings, you can think clearly and get to see the bigger picture. Also, try not to bring them on your way to your Vermosa home.

What to do:

Open the topic to your colleagues to sort things out once and for all. If you are not the type to confront people, it's best to share your feelings with a trusted friend and family member. Voicing your grudges and resentment will lessen your inner load.

4. Believe in your aspirations.

There is power in believing in what you do. It serves as a push - an extra boost for what you set out for the day. It gives you the confidence to go after your intentions. Internalizing is a way to be in control of your self even when there is no danger after you.

What to do:

Use the weekend to meditate what you want for the coming week and why do you want them. Ensure that they come from a place of peace to end up with specific items. Read them in the morning when your ability to focus is at its peak. Focus on what you wish to attract and believe you deserve it.

5. Treat feedback as a gift.

Feedback is something you won't look forward to even if you received them a million times. Some people give them at the wrong time while others deliver it poorly. Even if the constructive criticism came from the right person at the right time, it is still difficult to react. There's no other way to deal with it than to be open to it and accept it.

What to do:

Get feedback from people that matter to you. These are the ones you respect. It doesn't have to be your boss. It can be a former college professor or mentor. It can be an older person close to you. The feedback they offer are the ones you will look forward too and help you grow. Once they share their opinion, think before reacting. Hold off defensive mode and listen. Collaborate on making the changes rather than fighting off their judgment. Still, you must discern what works for you and what doesn't.

Supporting yourself and making yourself feel empowered over your decisions and thoughts will make you feel good. It will also help you to get through the challenges of your job and the struggle of working with other people.

Note: This post was first published as "4 Ways to Empower Yourself in the Workplace." It was revised and updated to become a comprehensive guide for all working adults and professionals.