How to bring your best self to your work?
Photo by Marissa Grootes on Unsplash
Here at Hearts+Minds, we’ve often spoken on the podcast and written on the blog about the value of work and the importance of finding satisfaction in our job.
Following on from a great Overnight Event this past weekend, where we had really interesting conversations and discussions about our professional lives as women, the team at Hearts+Minds have put together a few ways we can become the best version of ourselves through our daily work.
So what things can we do to bring our best self to our work?
Cultivate a spirit of service
We might begin by asking ourselves; who or what are we working for? No matter what line of work we are in, it will always involve working for others somewhere along the line. We might work closely with a small team of colleagues who rely on our input and professionalism or directly with clients that look to us for our expertise.
Even if we work by ourselves, there are people to be served by our work somewhere! A mechanic doesn’t just fix engines and check brakes; they’re making sure that someone can safely stop their car. Ultimately a spirit of service means sacrifice and putting love into our work. For more on this, check out this episode of the Hearts+Minds podcast.
Look for ways to develop resilience
Professional challenge is always a good thing because it’s an opportunity to bring out the best in us. Sometimes we may feel that the challenges and difficulties facing us are just too hard leading to a feeling of overwhelm or frustration. We could be tempted to either throw in the towel or overwork to the point of exhaustion; neither extreme is helpful! In times of stress and challenge, it becomes even more important to stick to the best practices we’ve developed in our professional life. Perhaps things like starting punctually, working intensely for set periods of time, taking our breaks to reset and refresh, or setting aside specific times to answer emails and deal with particular tasks.
Setbacks in our work are opportunities for us to develop resilience if we make the conscious decision to persevere with difficulties.This is because our brain develops new and stronger connections with repetition. Sometimes a way of developing resilience in our work might be showing up even when we really don’t feel like it. Or we can reframe each challenge so that it becomes a challenge we set ourselves rather than feeling that it’s being imposed on us by external factors. Just thinking a little differently about how we are ‘challenging ourselves’ means we are actively looking for the small victories that can, over time, help us to develop greater resilience.
Set and keep our boundaries
This might seem like a contradiction of sorts, given that we began with the importance of cultivating a spirit of service. However, there’s a huge difference between having a spirit of service and seeking to help others and allowing ourselves to be walked over constantly. One potential result being that we always end up behind on our own work schedule.
Setting boundaries may be easier for some and can depend on each individual's personality type and temperament but it’s an important factor for everyone to consider, no matter what line of work we are in. Poor boundaries or poor communication about our boundaries can lead to us feeling resentment, bitterness or stress, especially when we begin to feel as though we are taken for granted, never listened to or not supported in our efforts.
If you feel guilty about setting boundaries, then it’s worthwhile to remember that they aren’t just good for you and your peace of mind but good for everyone you work with. In some cases, actually setting boundaries for some people can be an act of charity and allow them to take greater responsibility and autonomy over their own workload. For more on setting boundaries, check out this episode from the podcast.
How could these help you become the best version of yourself in your work? What would you add to the list?