5 Tips to help you feel good about your work.
Have you ever been asked a well-intentioned question that made you doubt your own process and personal and professional growth? It happened to me recently when I took on a new leadership role in a new community.
The people I served and worked with were really caring and wanted to see me succeed. But their questions made me pause and reflect on what I was doing. They asked, “Is the job harder than you think?” and “What was the most challenging part of your job?”
At first, I was taken aback by their questions. I had been doing my best to reduce stress by using productivity systems, shifting my belief system, and personal inventions that helped me focus on the parts of the job that I enjoyed. As a result, my wife and close friends noticed that I seemed relaxed, less stressed, and more present when I was with them.
But the questions caused me to doubt myself. I wondered if I was too ignorant, not serious enough about my job, or not smart enough to detect the dangers that were coming my way.
It was then that I realized that feeling good about the good work I do should bring excitement and joy rather than doubt. I had to recognize that the questions came from a place of care and remind myself that feeling good is good.
It is important to find ways to feel good about the work you do, even when the questions you receive may cause doubt. Having close friends and family around you can help reassure us that you are doing good work and that feeling good about it is normal.
Here are 5 ways to feel good about your work:
Acknowledge that feeling good is good and don’t let well-intended questions from others stop you from feeling good about your work.
Establish a routine to count your accomplishments.
Focus on the parts of the job that bring you joy, the feeling that gets you out of bed in the morning.
Take breaks throughout the day and make sure to get enough rest.
Surround yourself with family and friends who care about your work and can reassure you that feeling good is normal.
When you feel good about your work, and have ways to remember that you are doing good work, it is easier for you to face well-intentioned questions that questions your work, your process, and your growth.
