Managing Problems at Work (Even When You Didn’t Cause Them)
The workplace can be a frustrating environment. We’ve all had days where we want to throw our hands up. We face challenges each day, and those challenges are not always caused by ourselves. In fact, they’re not always caused by anyone in particular.
Whether a problem is someone’s fault or not, its irritating to deal with problems that aren’t caused by you. That being said, it’s a reality for virtually any job or career you find yourself in. Continuing to be bothered by it won’t change anything, and in fact, will probably prevent you from doing your best at work.
Steve McKee has experienced this personally and seen it happen all around him. Typically, the more responsibility your job holds, the more likely you are to acquire issues that aren’t of your doing. However, he always remembers these six words to get him through these problems without remaining bitter: “Not my fault. Is my problem.”. His article here explains why it’s important to remember these words.
That realization — that demarcation — has paid dividends for many years now as I’ve learned to distinguish between the burden I should rightly bear when I make a mistake and the blessing I find in solving problems created by circumstances beyond my control. I learned how difficult it is to be creative when you’re discouraged (and nearly impossible when you’re depressed). If the problem I’m facing is of my own making, of course, I feel bad about it, as I should (for a time). If it’s not, however, I no longer do.
All of this is to say that if you accept that work will always have its problems, you’ll be able to move on a lot faster. The more realistic and optimistic you are, the more room in your mind there is for creativity, solutions, and job satisfaction.
Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash
Recent Posts
Feel Good Friday: Return
Happy Friday! Think of “return” not just as turning back but a way to move forward--another “turn” in the game of life and thus another opportunity to forge new paths as you proceed. Take all of the experiences you’ve had during these uncertain times and use them to...
What To Do When Planning to Go Back
With the summer in sight, your return to your workplace is likely approaching. This may feel like an abrupt shift, especially after you’ve established new routines that have helped you succeed while working remotely--which is why today we’re focusing on what you can...
Wednesday Wellness: Return
As we move closer to summer, let the return of this sunny season inspire your return to work. Find joy in returning to your regular workplace rhythms while applying the new lessons you’ve learned in adapting to the unprecedented circumstances you’ve experienced. It’s...
Making Your Return to Work Easy
We know that if you’ve been working remotely, or if you’ve been unemployed during these uncertain times, the prospect of returning to an in-person professional environment might seem overwhelming. But don’t panic! We’ve got ways to help you ease into that transition....
Monday Mood Booster: Return
Welcome back! While it’s important to live in the present and be mindful in completing your work, it’s also necessary to think about the future. There will come a time when you’ll need to get back into the normal swing of things; take a moment now to start...
To the Class of 2021: Congratulations and Welcome!
You’ve spent the last several years working hard on your education, taking steps towards your degree, and finally earning the title of “Graduate.” Congratulations! What you’ve just done is a huge accomplishment. You should be enormously proud of yourself and all of...
Monday Mood Booster: Guidance
Welcome back! We hope you had a wonderful weekend with plenty of chances to connect with those in your life to whom you turn for guidance. This week, we’ll be focusing on just that: guidance. A helping hand can come from both sources familiar and those you might not...
Resilient In The Workplace And Beyond
Today’s examination of ways to expand on your resiliency takes a holistic approach, considering ways both in and out of the workplace to create a more resilient you. You don’t have to tackle that task alone--and shouldn’t be! Know that within your workplace, you have...
Wednesday Wellness: Resilience
As you practice building up your workplace resilience using the skills we’ve shared, remember that your knowledge and capabilities are growing with every step along the way. While these unprecedented circumstances may feel overwhelming, each and every day you’re...
Monday Mood Booster: Resilience
Welcome back! As we kick off the first full week of May, we’ll be focusing on resilience. Just as flowers survive the cold of winter to bloom again each spring, you have the strength to pull through even the most difficult of times. Let these warmer days reinvigorate...
Feel Good Friday: Community
Congratulations--you’ve successfully made it to the end of another week! And we know that even if it doesn’t feel like it, each day you’ve made a difference in your communities. All of the contributions big and small that you make in your workplace add up to important...
Creating Workplace Community Virtually
Amidst this week’s focus on community, we know that it can feel isolating to work from home, with your teammates located far from you. Today we’re looking at ways to establish a sense of connection with your colleagues and employers while completing your work...
Wednesday Wellness: Community
Welcome back to Wednesday Wellness! Whether already you realize it or not, you are a powerful force for change within your communities. Your presence impacts the lives of others. Though simply being there may not feel like doing much, remember that being an active...
Creating A Better Workplace Community
Our focus this week is on creating a better community, in both your workplace and beyond. While creating change in the world at large is an important task to tackle, today we’re turning inward for our first steps towards creating a better workplace community. Since...