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Is Your Mindset Holding You Back?

Is your mindset holding you back? The wrong mindset can keep you stuck in your life, and it can hold you back from opportunities, success, wealth, and happiness. The wrong attitude can also lead to poor decisions, challenges, and other difficulties that keep you struggling.

If you’re feeling stuck, can’t move forward, and don’t have all that you want in life, your mindset may be to blame. Once you fix a negative mindset, you’ll find that life gets a lot easier and happier, and more opportunities present themselves.

Signs That Your Mindset is Holding You Back

1. You have a negative attitude

When good things happen, do you automatically assume “this is too good to be true” or “this will never work out” or even “this is going to well, something’s going to go wrong?” Your beliefs often lead to your reality. When you think thoughts like this, you often make them come true by focusing on them.

Instead, try thinking positively. “This is a great opportunity and I’m so fortunate to have it.” “Things may not be perfect, but I can figure it out and everything will work out fine.” This kind of attitude adjustment can help you deal with negativity and turn it around.

2. You put yourself down

When you’re constantly telling yourself, “I’m not good enough,” you’re creating your reality. Meditation is a great way to deal with negative self-talk and help you build your confidence. Step outside your comfort zone from time to time to prove to yourself that you’re capable of more than you think. And switch your negative self-talk to positive affirmations that you can say to yourself whenever you’re feeling down.

3. Being afraid of failure

Failure is inevitable. It’s going to happen to everyone at some time or another. It’s how you deal with the failure that makes you a success. If you’re always afraid of failure, you’re going to make more mistakes and deal with more struggles.

Instead, know that if failure comes, you’ll deal with it head-on. You’ll learn a valuable lesson, and you’ll know mistakes to avoid in the future. Failure can be a good learning opportunity.

4. Being afraid of change

Much like a failure, change is also inevitable, and it’s usually beyond your control. Outside factors and other people can change the course of your life and the things you do without any warning. A sudden job layoff, an accident, or an unexpected event can lead to significant changes. But change can be good in that it opens you up to new opportunities and challenges your strength, and it allows you to prove to yourself that you’re stronger than you thought.

5. Depending on fate

Miracles will undoubtedly come into your life and bring joy and opportunity. Still, if you’re sitting around waiting on a miracle and not doing anything yourself to move forward, then you’re holding yourself back.

Making a plan and taking action will open you up to the possibilities of more miracles and wonderful things happening. If there’s something you really want, figure out how to make it happen and get to work.

If you experience any of these things, then you’re definitely allowing your mindset to hold you back. Change your negative attitude, make a plan, believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid of failure or change. You’ll start to notice more positive things happening in your life when you open yourself up to a positive mindset.

If You Need Help With Your Career

If you find yourself in a situation where you need career advice and want to talk about navigating it and planning for your future, reach out to Rachel Schneider with CareerFind for a free intro call.

By Robin|2021-10-20T08:30:35-05:00October 17th, 2021|Career Success, Work Happiness|Comments Off

Career Advancement Advice in 2021

Are you considering advancing your career post-pandemic? Some people want a job that pays the bills and puts some money in the bank, while others are serious about their careers and take pride in what they do. They always do their best to excel and move their career forward. Even though your workplace may not have returned to normal yet, you can still do a few things to advance your career and grow professionally while still working remotely or with a smaller staff.

Career Advancement Advice

Here’s some career advancement advice to help you excel and grow professionally in 2021:

1. Expand Your Skill Set

While you’re waiting for things to return to normal, this is an excellent time to expand your knowledge and skills, so you’re prepared for advancement when the opportunity arises. There are various online education options, some that will teach you a new skill and others that will offer accreditation.

What kind of skills do you need in your field? Take a writing course, a software course, or a marketing course. The added skill set will make you a better candidate for advancement.

According to an article about the future of work, “Going forward, more than half of displaced low-wage workers may need to shift to occupations in higher wage brackets and requiring different skills to remain employed.” Expand your skill set before it is required.

2. Keep in Touch

Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you should lose touch with your co-workers. Talking to other people within your company will help you be aware of opportunities that may be coming available and help you to make it known that you’re interested.

3. Talk to Your Boss

Letting your boss know that you’re interested in advancement may be one of the best moves you can make. They can let you know if opportunities are on the horizon and when they might be available, what skills and experience you may need, and they’ll know to keep you in mind for the position before looking outside the company for a candidate.

4. Get in Touch with Your Passions

If you do not love your job, this is an excellent time to figure out what may make you happy. Research other career options that may use your skillset or take courses that will benefit you in changing careers. Sometimes, a career change is the best thing you can do to advance yourself.

5. Don’t Be Afraid of Change

Change is necessary for growth, and we’ve all learned how to accept change through the pandemic. Sometimes change is the best thing you can do. Consider changing jobs to a new company or changing positions within your existing company to find a higher sense of job satisfaction. And the right attitude toward change will send a positive message to your boss.

Even in a complex and challenging job market, you can still advance your career and find contentment. Use this time to your advantage to set yourself up for success.

If You Desire Some Help

If you find yourself in wanting to advance and want to talk about navigating it and planning for your future, reach out to Rachel Schneider with CareerFind for a free intro call.

By Robin|2021-09-27T16:53:58-05:00October 4th, 2021|Career Success|Comments Off

Mental Health in the Post-Pandemic Workplace

Mental health in the post-pandemic workplace is more important than ever. Discussions of mental health in the workplace have become more common since the beginning of the pandemic. And there have been numerous changes to the workplace to help employees feel more comfortable doing their job.

Many companies permitted employees to work from home, and a significant number of those companies have gone to full-time remote work, not requiring employees to come back to the office. They found it was better for the company and the employees. Plus, employees felt less stressed and had an increase in productivity while the company saved money on the overhead of office space.

Some companies allowed flexible work schedules, and others created new health and wellness programs for their employees.

As the country starts to open back up and many employees are required to go back to the office, we’ve been experiencing something called “The Great Resignation.” Employees are leaving their jobs for better opportunities that allow them to feel a greater sense of well-being and reduce their stress. According to Michelle Tenzyk, founder and CEO of East Tenth Group, a New York-based leadership and executive coaching firm in a recent SHRM article, “The pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges, even for people who were on solid footing before.”

Employers are now dealing with a new problem: keeping their employees happy so they won’t leave. There are recent efforts to help employees deal with mental health in the post-pandemic workplace so they can get back to work.

Flexibility

Many companies are allowing either a more flexible work schedule or the ability to work remotely. Frequently, both. This will enable employees to have a better work-life balance. Everyone wants to have time for their family, and it encourages more productivity and focus. But these flexibility policies need to be clearly defined so that employees aren’t wondering what’s acceptable and what’s not. Companies need to create policies around a flexible and/or remote work schedule.

Distancing

We’re all still feeling a little nervous about big events or packed offices. Over the pandemic, we learned to adjust to social distancing while maintaining contact with video chats, online networking events, and virtual social gatherings. Keeping large events virtual helps employees feel safe and secure. Especially with the option to work remotely, online meetings can be productive while assisting employees in feeling comfortable about interaction.

Programs

With the discussions of mental health being more prominent now, creating new employee programs is necessary. Adding health and wellness programs to employee benefits packages is a great way to make employees feel valued and accepted.

Great ways to make employees feel safer and happier include

Gym memberships
Health and wellness speakers
Healthy snack options in the break room
Weekly emails focused on tips for well-being
The opportunity to speak to a professional if needed

It’s a new world, and it’s unlikely that things will ever return to the way they were before the pandemic. It’s vital for employers to embrace change and find new ways to help employees find a comfortable work-life balance and feel comfortable in their jobs.

If You Need Help With Your Career

By Robin|2021-09-27T14:41:53-05:00September 27th, 2021|Job Stress, Work Happiness|Comments Off

How Offices Are Changing After COVID

COVID has caused us all to rethink the way we do things. Where we spend time, who we interact with, and how we interact with each other are all things to consider. Nothing is what it used to be, and we all have to adjust to a new “normal.” This goes for the workplace too.

According to the AP News, “The coronavirus already changed the way we work. Now it’s changing the physical space, too.”

Offices Are Changing

Offices are changing after COVID; there are new ways of doing business, holding meetings, and structuring offices. It’s necessary to keep employees feeling safe and valued.

Here are some of the things you can expect to see when returning to your office:

Private Workspace

Employees don’t want to spend time in a shared office space, especially if that space is small and enclosed. Offices are restructuring their layouts to spread workstations out and even shift schedules to reduce the number of people in the office at one time.

Guard shields are also being installed between desks in a shared space to keep employees socially distanced. Employees are rotating days they work in the office and days they work remotely to reduce the number of people within the office space.

Video Meetings

To reduce the number of people gathered together in a conference room, companies continue to hold video meetings, both with company employees and clients. This allows everyone to feel a little safer and maintain a safe distance.

Mask Mandates

Some companies require masks to continue to be worn within the office, even if you’re vaccinated. They feel this helps protect everyone who works in the office and everyone those people come in contact with. We could be wearing masks for a long time to come, to get used to it.

Vaccinate or Get Tested

Many companies require employees to either get vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID testing. Some companies are even bypassing the testing option and requiring all employees to be vaccinated.

Be prepared. If you don’t want to get vaccinated, then you may need to continue to work remotely or find another job.

Higher Cleaning Standards

With the heightened awareness of COVID and the concern of quickly passing germs along, many companies are upping their cleaning game. They’re sanitizing more, requiring more hand washing, and making adjustments to reduce the spreading of germs.

This also means they’re reducing employee benefits like the shared coffee machine and snack basket in the break room.

Health and Wellness Policies

Through the pandemic, many people suffered from mental health issues. Being disconnected from other people and quarantining was difficult for many, and the fear of catching COVID has heightened stress levels.

Companies are starting to take their health and wellness practices more seriously to provide mental health solutions for their employees. This may include gym memberships, classes, or handouts on ways to reduce stress. You can expect your company to take your health and wellness much more seriously.

Offices are changing after COVID, and we may never see a return to what they were before, but many companies are looking for ways to improve what they do to take care of their employees. This is a change in the right direction.

If You Need Help With Your Career

By Robin|2021-08-26T12:15:54-05:00August 26th, 2021|Work Happiness|Comments Off

Six Tips To Handle A Narcissistic Boss

Working with a narcissist is one thing, but it is a whole new ballgame when you have a narcissistic boss. Narcissists are very skilled at exploiting opportunities, taking credit for other people’s work, conveying confidence and expertise, and all-around making themselves appear more capable than they may be.

All of this means you’ll often find them in positions of power within companies. So, chances are you may likely end up working for a narcissistic boss at some point.

Narcissistic Boss

Tips to Handle A Narcissistic Boss

I paired up with Houston-based psychotherapist, Kristy Hildebrand, to talk briefly about what narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder are and to assist in developing a list of tips to handle a narcissistic boss and help you succeed in your job.

1. Educate Yourself

Most successful people want power, recognition, a sense of achievement, and a good image in their career field. Sometimes to achieve our goals we set aside our feelings. This can be considered a
narcissistic part or aspect of a person’s character structure. When an over-investment is made and the feelings are denied by the individual it leaves them less vibrant, compassionate and connected. Most of us have some amount of narcissism.

A boss with a narcissistic personality disorder is on the extreme with a very high investment in image and a lack of empathy, feeling, and self-awareness. They will deny their own as well as other’s feelings except to use them for manipulation. Their identity is set in the belief that they are better and more deserving than you.

Knowing the traits of a narcissistic personality, as well as developing awareness of the narcissism in all of us, will go a long way in helping you cope with a narcissistic boss.

2. Validate Your Boss and Coworkers

Narcissists need a constant flow of admiration and attention. Point out your bosses’ strengths, compliment them on their work, and give positive feedback. Do the same for others in your work
environment. Build positivity and allies.

3. Manage Your Expectations

While your boss needs plenty of validation from you, don’t expect it to be reciprocated. A narcissistic boss will often under, over, or misrepresent you and your work, depending on what is to their
advantage.

Stay in touch with what you know to be true about yourself and your work. Consider other sources you trust such as peers, previous supervisors, and clients for reliable feedback and validation.

To maintain your self-esteem, confidence, and integrity, represent yourself as accurately as possible. The narcissistic aspect will seek out validation to shore up self-esteem, so avoid looking for validation from a boss that tends toward narcissism.

4. Align Your Goals

Communicate and emphasize to your boss how your goals and activities align with their goals. For your own integrity, self-confidence, and career growth, develop and maintain a clear view of how your actions align with your own goals and the goals of the company/organization as well as your bosses.

Maintain your own documentation of what you are doing at work and how it aligns with the company/organization. Don’t share it with your boss, unless necessary and you have another credible and trustworthy witness in the workplace in on the communication.

5. Minimize Conflict and Confrontation

Narcissists like drama and do their best to create it everywhere they go to draw attention to themselves. They will do whatever it takes to make themselves look good, including manipulating others and putting them down.

Avoid conflict when possible and rely on the sense of self and boundaries you are creating by affiliating yourself with others you can trust.

6. Have an Exit Strategy

Your boss is only interested in their success, and even if you’re aligned with them, they are likely to walk right over you when it serves them. Don’t expect loyalty or credit for your hard work, and don’t expect your boss to play fair. They may like you one day and be your worst enemy the next.

Find ways to manage the stress created when you have a boss that is difficult. Releasing stress and tension will help keep you focused on your work, even as you work to create more options for yourself. Even if your preference is to stay with your current job or company, it is wise to have a backup plan.

A Narcissistic Boss Can Be Frustrating

Working for a narcissist can be difficult, frustrating, and a blow to our self-esteem. Honor all your feelings and emotions and express them to safe others and/or through art, writing, or other means. Keep your options open, as you navigate the current terrain.

If you find yourself in a situation and want to talk about navigating it and planning for your future, reach out to Rachel Schneider with CareerFind for a free intro call.

For assistance with stress management, tension and trauma release or emotional, psychological, and relational aspects of your life, reach out to Kristy Hildebrand at Psychotherapy and Counseling.

You can also follow Kristy on her social channels, Instagram and Facebook.

https://www.instagram.com/kristyhildebrandpsychotherapy/
https://www.facebook.com/KristyHildebrandPsychotherapy
https://www.psychotherapyandcounseling.com

By Rachel Schneider|2021-08-18T15:57:07-05:00August 18th, 2021|Job Stress, Work Happiness|Comments Off

Are You Thinking of Quitting Your Job After the Pandemic?

Are you considering quitting your job after the Pandemic? People are quitting jobs at an alarming rate these days and for a variety of reasons. In fact, there are so many people leaving their jobs after the pandemic that this period in time has been coined “The Great Resignation.” According to an article on Bloomberg Businessweek, “The numbers are multiplied by the many pandemic-related epiphanies—about family time, remote work, commuting, passion projects, life and death, and what it all means—that can make people turn their back on the 9-to-5 office grind.”

Employees are quitting because some want better hours, a better work environment, or better benefits. Others want to continue working from home or reduce the number of hours they work. Whatever the reason, opportunities are opening up all over the country as employees are making the decision to leave their job.

Things to Consider Before You Quit

If you’ve been thinking of quitting your job after the pandemic, there are some things to consider.

Why do you want to quit?

If you’re looking for better benefits, you want to continue working from home, or you want to reduce your hours, think about talking to your employer before handing in your resignation. Companies are losing too many employees, and they want to hold on to the good ones they have so they’re more willing to make compromises. Talk to your employer about changes you’d like to see in how you do your job. You may find that they’re more willing than you think to agree to your requests.

Will you be able to find another job?

Many companies are reducing their staff and postponing hiring because they’re still unable to function as they did before the pandemic or aren’t bringing in as much business. They don’t have the need for as many people as they did before. Quitting your job before you have another one lined up may mean a longer time of being unemployed. Many experts predict higher unemployment rates later this year, and the market is becoming oversaturated with highly qualified job candidates. This may mean it will become much harder to find work.

Will you lose valuable experience?

As companies shift to new ways of doing business, many employees are learning new skills they didn’t know they needed. You may be learning how to hold better client meetings virtually or rethinking how you do business. If this is the case, leaving your job means you won’t have the opportunity to learn these skills that will serve you later.

What will potential employers think?

Quitting your job during or immediately after the pandemic can be viewed by potential employers as a lack of loyalty or commitment to your job. This can work against you when being considered for another job. Companies want to hire employees they can count on, not ones who’ll walk out when they’re needed the most.

What if you already have a new job offer?

There are two things you need to consider when thinking about accepting a new job offer. One is the new company in a position to offer you a long-term position. They may be acting in good faith when presenting you an offer only to find that the company is not coming back as they had hoped. You may find yourself laid off shortly after taking the new job. And two, are you up for starting something new. With a new job comes learning new software programs, picking up new skills, working with a new team of people, a different commute, different hours, and different expectations. Sometimes, what you’re already comfortable with is better and easier than starting all over again.

If you’ve been thinking of quitting your job after the pandemic, think long and hard about your options before jumping ship. You may find it’s better to stay where you are.

Do You Need Help?

If you need help updating your resume, practicing for an interview, or organizing your job search information during these challenging times, consider reaching out to Rachel Schneider, CPC at Career Find to assist you.

By Rachel Schneider|2021-07-30T09:28:05-05:00July 29th, 2021|How to Quit Your Job|Comments Off

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