Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I could be happy if only they would…” There may a kernel of truth there, but are you letting someone else or a circumstance become the boss of you?
This is what almost happened for my neighbor. We exchanged a wave at the mailbox, and when I asked her how things were going, she blurted out, “I told my boss, ‘I’m so over work!’”
“Uh…is that a good thing?” I asked, not sure what to say.
“Absolutely!” she laughed. “I’m finally getting my job back on track.”
When Nandita joined the Disability team at the local community college, she said “yes” to helping with anything and everything while they filled open positions. However, her “can do” attitude didn’t turn out quite the way she hoped. She ended up being a little too good, especially at managing the budget. Once she stepped into the gap, it was hard to step out.
“Everything changed when we decided to have interns. It hit me like a lightning bolt after our orientation session,” she said. “I went back to my desk and was so irritated by that stack of spreadsheets waiting for me. I thought, “How did I get here? I don’t want to be an accountant!” That’s when I joked with my boss that I was so over work.”
She shrugged her shoulders and said tenderly, “I want to make education easier for people with disabilities. Sure, we need to manage operations, but I also need to get back to why I applied for this job.”
The October series, In the Solution Now, is talking about how to balance intuition and the rational mind. Sometimes we think we’re following our instincts, but we’re really reacting to feelings that have taken on a life of their own. The sequence usually goes something like this: someone upsets us, then we dig in and can’t let go of the details. We feel like we have to do something and make rash choices. But the truth is that those decisions are made when we’re completely out of alignment.
By contrast, think of your intuition as your wisest advisor. Instead of rushing in, Nandita realized her dissatisfaction at work wasn’t about the invoices. It was really about getting back to basics. She took steps to restructure her work duties once she understood the true issue.
Are your feelings starting to eclipse everything else right now? One thing is certain: You can’t create good things out of a hostile, combative viewpoint of, “not good enough.” It’s time to temper your emotions, no matter how justified your perspective might be. Shake off bitterness or frustration. Replace it with deep wisdom matched with practical action – that’s how you get in the solution.
This week, blend head and heart with two simple questions. “Am I letting my emotions get the best of me?” and “What one thing can I do to change my perspective?” Then take thoughtful action using the skills you’ve honed this year.
Who’s got the Good? You do.