Is my work working for me?: A safe framework for questioning
How do you know when your work life is no longer functional, needs adjustment, or needs a complete overhaul? When do you know you’re putting up with way too much versus just enough challenge to keep your skills sharp? When to conform versus stand up for yourself? If your work life is a huge chunk of your life, it's difficult to access a grounding frame of reference as to what’s meeting your needs or is asking so much of you that it's robbing time and energy from other parts of your life. So, how do we access that helpful frame of reference?
Margins: Take regular time and space away from work, family, and social life just for you to reflect honestly within yourself.
Valid: Remember, whatever you're feeling in this nonjudgmental space for yourself is valid and worth exploring, no matter how the associated symptoms are presenting within the here and now. There is a helpful message at the root of them.
Is it working? Honestly ask yourself if your work life is actually working for you. Allow and welcome an honest answer by fully considering each possibility.
Why is it working/not working?
If the answer is “yes” or “no”, name what factors are leading to that answer. The answer may very well be “yes”. If that is the case, remember to reflect on the specific reasons why the answer is “yes” and celebrate those reasons as well as continue to ask yourself the same question on a regular basis.
If the answer is “no”, also ask yourself the specific factors that are leading to that answer. Examples of answers might be distraction, amount of structure, compatibility between individual energy levels and requested activity levels, lack of support…
Needed adjustments: If the answer is “no”, for each factor leading to that answer, ask yourself “what adjustment or adjustments is/are needed for this area of work to become more functional? Examples of answers might be less noise through noise canceling headphones, Written out schedule of a typical work week, flexibility in schedule that could be tailored to your individual energy levels, coaching or continuing education surrounding communication or productivity strategies.. etc.
Action Plan: Once the needed adjustment is named, what specific action needs to happen to start that adjustment?
To wrap up, allowing the question about how well your worklife is working for you can be a pretty daunting question to consider. However, the tips and questions above have hopefully opened your eyes to a supportive framework for asking the questions in a way that invites hope, support, and opportunity. Stay tuned for next time on, if the action plan is not actionable.