Okay, so you’re sitting there in a meeting with all your colleagues and the meeting is being conducted by your manager who use to work with you in the office doing the same work you and the others use to do. All of a sudden, this person starts telling you what you are all doing wrong and starts dictating to you what you need to do. The solutions are completely unrealistic and seem to be senseless. To make matters worse, you are presented with unrealistic expectations and told how you all think that you are the best but you’re not. THEN, you realize that this person has lost her mind and you, calmly and with good intention, try to bring to attention what the reality is from the “lower class citizens” only to be attacked with ridiculous words like “I know what I’m talking about, I USE TO BE where you all were” (as if it weren’t just a few months ago).
Whoa! What does this do to you and your colleagues, especially during a REALLY hectic week in which you’ve been busting your butt to get the job done…seemingly as a team? Sounds familiar?
I know, I know….I mean, really there is nothing you can do about it because, well… you’re just the worker bee and the Queen bee has complete control.
Now, hold on there, back up that thought! No ONE has complete control over you. What can you do in a stressful situation such as that, ummm, fake? , scenario above?
Remember the bigger picture. Know that you are working hard and doing your best. Do give yourself a pat on the back and take care not to absorb any negativity. If possible, talk it out with your colleagues and try to find solutions together to try to meet the expectations of the company, but in a way that is healthy for all of you.
Most of all, try to find humor in the situation. Can you laugh about something?
What worries me is that these situations can impact colleagues and you individually. PLUS, a lowered morale can encourage a dark sense of lower energy in the work place…something that can become toxic in the long run and make you and your colleagues sick (mentally AND physically). This can, Duh, also negatively impact the quality of work and productivity in the workplace.
Never bring a negative situation home with you, don’t even entertain the idea of thinking about that situation or person before going to bed.
When you go back to work, think positive! Think of all the good things you can conjure up about your job or just be thankful you have a job. You can even trick yourself by just saying to yourself “what a wonderful day, I love this day, I am grateful for this day… for this moment!” Go through a mental list of things you are thankful for in your life and get that happy juice going…this will keep you grounded and focused on the BIGGER picture.
And, pray for that person…it’s a sad day when someone is overpowered by the pressures of upper administration and management. It’s even sadder when that person has lost a sense of who they are and their core beliefs and values. REALLY SAD, be thankful you’re not that person! Really.
Keep happy and healthy, KNOW that your perspective is YOUR reality and encourage this attitude amongst your colleagues! You can be happy in the work place even when someone of “power” is trying to bring you down.
Let that person keep that for themselves, you have better things in store for YOU!
Whenever my boss starts getting “Witchy” I always take time and look at the rose garden outside my work window. It really calms me down. Might be because roses remind me of my mum, her devotion to the Virgin Mary and the fact that she always kept her altar full of roses.
NURSE’S PRAYER
When I falter, give me courage.
When I tire, renew my strength.
When I weaken because I’m human,
Inspire me on to greater length.
If doctors and patients become demanding,
And days are too short for all my duty,
Help me remember I chose to serve,
To do so with grace, and spiritual beauty.
In humility, Lord, I labour long hours,
And though I sometimes may fret;
My mission is mercy.
Abide with me, that I may never forget