Unhappy At Work? Here Are 4 Ways We Deal With It!

As a psychologist, I have worked with a lot of people who are unhappy at work, and frustrated. The workplace can be a fertile ground for triggers on a daily basis, isn’t it? We all have subconscious reactions to unhappiness, so this is an important read. 

We spend a very large chunk of our time at work. How we feel at work also greatly affects our overall happiness and well-being. Hence, it’s important to think about what causes this state of unrest, and how are we dealing with it. Many reasons make us unhappy at work – a bad boss, a difficult colleague, or just simply the feeling of being stuck in the wrong place! Here is what I have discovered.

We generally handle our unhappiness in either of these 4 ways…

1. Resist
   When we RESIST, we try to push down our emotions and wear a mask of normalcy or ‘it doesn’t affect me’.  But we feel the constant agitation within. This eventually leads to ‘pressure-cooker’ syndrome where all those suppressed emotions eventually gather steam and explode with damaging consequences. 
   
   
2. React
   The second option is we REACT, by engaging in a power struggle. We try to prove our point, get defensive, argue or withdraw. Reaction only triggers more reaction and we find ourselves caught in the never-ending cycle of ‘Attack – defence- counterattack’.  
   
   
3. Accept
   The third option is we ACCEPT a huge psychological truth, that we cannot change anyone or control the way others think or behave. It doesn’t mean that we become absolutely okay with the other person. Accepting simply means you stop arguing with reality. We accept the situation for what it is and let go of trying to change others. This can bring a lot of peace. 
   
   
4. Change
   The fourth option is we CHANGE…not others but ourselves. We learn to regulate our emotions. We stop complaining. We focus on our growth. We shift attention away from the negative, to positive people and experiences. We own our power to design our life experiences. 

We are making a choice every day. Therefore, whether we choose to resist, react, accept or change, it has the power to affect the quality of our lives. We always have the last word. 

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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