The Workplace Therapist » Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth
Prescription – How to get work/life balance
Work/life balance is one of those elusive mysteries that we seem to constantly be chasing regardless of our particular season of life. And like unicorns, leprechauns and mermaids, there are legends of those who have actually found it, but for most of us, those stories are simply that – stories. Consider this prescription as your guide to finding work/life balance for you. Diagnosis It would be premature to give any treatment plan without first assessing and diagnosing … Read entire article »
Filed under: I Don't Have Work / Life Balance, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth
“I’m negative”
Are you suffering from a severe case of negativity? Are you a “glass half empty” kinda person? Do people generally tell you that you are a total “buzz-kill” to be around? If the answer to those questions is “yes,” then this month is for you. And unlike many past dysfunctions we’ve taken on, negativity is a different type of dysfunction for many reasons. First, with most traditional workplace dysfunctions, the problem is often someone else … Read entire article »
Filed under: Dysfunction of the Month, I'm Negative, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth
Has your negativity gone too far?
What are the signs your negativity has tipped too far? There are several warning signs that I plan on sharing, but before I do, I had a negativity moment over the weekend that has stuck with me. On Saturday morning, I was in the drive thru line at McDonald’s, picking up breakfast for my family when it happened. The car in front of me pulled forward so, naturally, I inched my car ahead to take … Read entire article »
Filed under: I'm Negative, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth, Managing Professional Relationships
Be thankful
The last few months we’ve tackled the dysfunction of “negativity.” As we conclude this series and start a new dysfunction (and year for that matter), I can’t think of a more appropriate time for the prescription. There is perhaps no better antidote to negativity than healthy and regular doses of “thankfulness.” Seems too simple, huh? Let me explain. “People’s brains have a ‘negativity bias’” In recent WSJ article on smarter ways to discipline children, a quote from … Read entire article »
Filed under: I'm Negative, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth, Managing Professional Relationships
“I don’t have any goals”
‘Tis the season of resolutions and goal-setting. First, let me come clean and tell you that I am a big fan of setting goals, both personally and professionally. And I’m not just your average fan. I’m one of those face-painting, rabid kinda fans. Goals keep us on track and focused. And to be frank, had I not set some ridiculously crazy goals in my life (some might argue delusional), I wouldn’t have accomplished half of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Dysfunction, Dysfunction of the Month, I Don't Have Any Goals, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth
Setting the right work goals
Setting the right work-related goals is critical for keeping you moving forward and avoiding getting “stuck” in the wrong role, company or occupation. The challenge is that one size does not fit all. There are a myriad of combinations that may work for you. To that end, I’m gonna tell you what works (and has worked) for me and for others. Consider this your menu to sample from as you move into the next year. You’ll … Read entire article »
Filed under: I Don't Have Any Goals, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth
Setting the right relationship goals
Every year I pick out one relationship that I want to improve. Sometimes it’s a work relationship. Other times it’s a relationship with a family member. Regardless, I set a specific relationship goal for the year. Some years I look back at the end of the year and say to myself, “Sweet. Things with X have definitely gotten better. Well done ‘B’ (that’s what I call myself. Feel free to call me that… or anything … Read entire article »
Filed under: I Don't Have Any Goals, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth, Managing Professional Relationships
Setting “no” goals
If you looked at the title of this post for more than .5 seconds, than you might be thinking to yourself “wait a minute. I thought you said at the beginning of this month that you hated the ‘no goal’ philosophy.” If that thought entered your head, you would be correct. I absolutely despise the ‘no goal’ philosophy. I despise it like I despise waiting in long airport security lines with my shoes in one … Read entire article »
Filed under: I Don't Have Any Goals, Leading People & Organizations, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth
“I don’t love my job”
Are you in love with your job? Perhaps you are simply in “like” with your job. Then again, you might just be hanging around until something better comes along secretly hating every soul-killing moment your at the office. This month we are tackling the topic of finding the right job that you can “fall in love with” and stay with for years to come. I know what you are thinking. This sounds overly romantic for … Read entire article »
Filed under: Dysfunction of the Month, I Don't Love My Job, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth
Finding your romantic soul mate
I had every intention of kicking off this series with a post on the “signs that you don’t love your job.” When I announced this plan, perched at my kitchen table a few nights ago, I looked over at my wife and she was eerily quiet (if you know my wife, you’d know how “eerie” that actually was). I could tell by looking at the reaction on her face that either my plan was significantly … Read entire article »
Filed under: I Don't Love My Job, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth
Finding your work soul mate
Is your job your perfect work “soul mate?” Does it feed you in ways that go beyond money? This post is about finding your work soul mate – that job that seems to be made and meant for you. Let me be clear. Falling in love with your job is not a bedtime fairytale. It is quite real. However, unlike most bedtime fairytales, your soul mate job won’t show up at your door atop a … Read entire article »
Filed under: I Don't Love My Job, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth
How I found my work soul mate
I want to tell you the story of one person’s struggle to find his work soul mate and the journey that took him there. This is my story on how I fell in love with my job. The story begins in the halls of George Walton High School. Picture a gangly teenage boy who was growing up much faster than he was growing out. His skinny figure is awkwardly crammed behind a public school desk in chemistry … Read entire article »
Filed under: I Don't Love My Job, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth
“If you are looking for something more”
This month we’ve been tackling the journey of finding the perfect work soul mate – that job that fits us like a glove, inspires us, and meets our needs along the way. In my last post, I offered my own personal journey on how I found my perfect job. In this final post, I want to offer you a resource to help you along your own personal journey. Something More: The Professional’s Pursuit of a Meaningful … Read entire article »
Filed under: I Don't Love My Job, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth
“It’s not fair”
It was dinnertime at my house and like every night, it had begun. As the meals landed in front of their intended recipients, the cries of injustice began. My 8 year old, Noah was complaining that it wasn’t fair that his 11 year old sister, Abby, went back and got the final spoonful of rice from the stove. Abby was complaining that it wasn’t fair that Noah got his favorite meal twice in the same week. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Dysfunction, Dysfunction of the Month, It's Not Fair, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth
Work is not fair! QUIZ
Are you or others in your life doing a little too much blaming and not taking enough ownership and responsibility? As mentioned in the previous post, this personal dysfunction is particularly nasty. It stops all progress in one’s life and can poison the relationships around that individual. After all, who wants to spend quality time with someone who alternates between complaining about the inequities in life and blaming you? There are three Petri dishes in our … Read entire article »
Filed under: It's Not Fair, Managing Myself – Personal and Professional Growth
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Therapist, professor, consultant and radio host, Brandon Smith brings an upbeat, witty approach to the challenges of workplace health and dysfunction.
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Dysfunction of the Month – It’s Not Fair!
