As a kid growing up in the 80s, "TGIF" had a totally different meaning than it does as an adult. As a kid, TGIF was the end of the school week and the start of my favorite Friday night sitcoms. I spent a lot of time with Urkel (Family Matters) and with Step by Step, the 80s version of the Brady Bunch. When I entered into the working world, "TGIF" signaled the end of the work week but not necessarily the end of work. As a parent of two little children, "TGIF" signaled the beginning of my weekend shift, filled with soccer, karate and thinking of activities to entertain the future adults.
During the past few years, I started to change my mindset on "TGIF". In the past, I would focus on the "IF" of "TGIF". It's Friday and we're FREE!! However, the events of my life have turned my attention to the "TG" part of "TGIF". I can narrow it down to 3 things that changed my mindset:
1. Learning to be grateful. There are studies out there that show that gratitude leads to a higher quality of life. Being grateful takes the focus of what your life is lacking and puts it on what your life has given you. No matter the number of friends you have, the size of your bank account or the current state of your career, take stock of the blessings that are around you and banish those negative thoughts in your head. It's a mental exercise and like any other physical exercise, it takes work and repetition. There are tools that can help. For example, I use the Five Minute Journal app every morning to help me start the day off by being grateful.
2. Surround yourself with positive people. They say that you are the average of the 5 people you hang out with the most. What does that mean if you hang out with 5 negative people? Chances are you are just as negative as they are! Surround yourself with people who will encourage you, give you constructive criticism when you need it and pick you up when self-doubt pulls you down. Find mentors that have gone down the same road you are on because they can be a great source of inspiration. Find friends that celebrate your success rather than your failures. Stop those negative thoughts in your head and replace them with a happy memory. Negative self talk can be worse than having negative friends because you spend more time with yourself than any one else!
3. Serve, not work. As I matured both in my work life and personal life, my view of work also changed. I don't "work" anymore, I "serve" others. When you change your view on what you do, even though you might be doing the same thing, it gives you a new perspective on things around you. You may realize that you need to find new people to serve (that appreciate you) or find a new venture where your talents can be better utilized. When you find it, it will feel less like "work" and you will no longer count the hours you put in.
Wherever you are in this process, you have the ability to choose again. If you make a wrong choice, no matter how small it may be, you can always choose again and make a better choice next time. Enough good little choices in your life could amount to big changes. If you are ready to "choose again" in your career, contact Intact Solutions Group at www.intactsolutionsgroup.com and we can walk with you in your decision.