 |
Emotions and Work: strange bedfellows? |
|
|
 |
 This month, the Tune-Up looks at an often ignored but very common issue: feelings on the job. What do feelings have to do with a professional setting? Everything!
The workplace is populated by humans and not only are humans thinking beings, but emotional beings as well. And, as emotional beings, it only makes sense that we would bring our feelings with us everywhere we go...including work. Feelings are a wonderful and important part of us and also a part of us that we may have trouble mananging at times, especially in a work enviornment where we are expected to be competent, rational, and professional at all times. So, what can we do with our feelings when they surface on the job? Read on. |
| |
|
Who or what really pushes your buttons at work?
Is it the pointless weekly meeting you are required to attend? What about the insecure coworker who is constantly competing rather than collaborating with you? Every day, we may be confronted with situations that bring up feelings of anger, annoyance, fear, even sadness and we may not always know what do to with those feelings when they come up.
Sometimes upset feelings cause us to withdraw or even act out in certain ways that are not constructive on the job. For example, those upset feelings can slip out in our email communications bringing unintended consequences. If you notice yourself acting passive aggresssive, snappy, or silent at times on the job, there's a chance that your feelings are spilling out at work in ways that may not be so helpful. Here are a few ideas for welcoming your feelings and at the same time channeling them positively.
-
Have a friendly and open attitude toward your feelings. Remember that feelings are a good thing! When you get frustrated with yourself about having feelings or try to stop your feelings, the pressure you put on yourself only makes things worse.
-
Allow yourself to take "feelings breaks" as needed during the day. A little bathroom break to wash your face, a walk around the block (with tears or without), a lunch date with a buddy to debrief or to vent, a 5-minute water break in an empty conference room with some deep breathing...all of these things can help you manage feelings during the day.
- If feelings seem to be interfering with your daily work, try out using a private "emotions log" for a week or so to see what you notice. Use three columns, Time of day, Emotions triggered by, My response to emotions. Evaluate your log after a week to see your own patterns in action. Then ask yourself, "what will help me the most to manage these patterns?". Also, you'll likely find that noticing your feelings can give you important information on what's going right or wrong for you at work.
- Use your supports outside of work. Often our spouse or closest family member is the first person who gets an earful about all our feelings from the day. Of course that's natural, but just be conscious of burning out that important person's listening ear. We can sometimes rely too heavily on one person for all our work emotions day after day. Mixing it up by reaching out to other family and friends can be very useful and may provide you with a fresh perspective on the issues you're dealing with.
|
