While it may not be in your best interest to compose an email listing the ways you believe your co-workers and boss have suppressed you, you can gain some independence from them at work. Follow the example of our forefathers to create a more independent environment for yourself.
Identify the factors that make you feel restrained at work
One of the main functions of the declaration was to establish why the Colonies felt justified in separating from Great Britain. You can do the same by identifying the factors that make you feel restrained at work. Is your work schedule too demanding? Do your co-workers expect you to cover part of their workload? Does your boss treat you like a personal assistant? Are you being passed over for promotions or raises?
It's common to experience some dissatisfaction in your job, but it's up to you to identify what makes you feel that way and what you can do about it. The first step toward making a change is recognizing the problem. Next comes differentiating what's part of your job from what you can work to change.
Establish your expectations for your job
The forefathers believed that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." While this is an honorable belief upon which to found a country, it may not be as realistic an expectation to have in your job.
Are the factors holding you back a part of your job description? If so, you may make more progress by looking for a new job that is better matched with your work style and needs. But if there are parts of your job that you can change without having to quit, now's the time to establish those changes.
Write a job description for the job you have now, as you'd like to see it. Does your ideal description include flexible work hours for family care? If so, propose telecommuting once a week. Would you like to gain management experience? If yes, create or identify a project you're qualified to work on, and speak to your boss about taking the lead or working as second in command. You can create more independence at work simply by breaking patterns and expectations that have held you back in the past.
Create your path to independence
After you have identified what is restraining you at work and have established your expectations for the job you'd like to have, you can create a path to independence.
Begin by making small adjustments to your day-to-day responsibilities. If you habitually check your inbox during and after work, gradually change to checking once an hour or speak to your manager about what's appropriate for staying in touch after business hours. Communicate that you want to remain reliable and easy to get in touch with, but that you can get sidetracked by too many conversations going on at once, lowering your productivity.
For bigger issues, such as workplace relationships or moving up in your career, shift your tone to a more polite and diplomatic stance. If co-workers regularly expect you to help with their workload, begin removing yourself from the dynamic. Say you're glad to help this time, since soon you won't have as much free time due to the new responsibilities you're shifting your focus to. Also speak with your manager, explaining that you have talents that are going unused, and suggest where you could be better used.
The key to gaining your independence is demonstrating that you have career goals and want to put in the work to make them happen. The forefathers worked together, made a plan and took action to create a better future. You can do the same in your work and gain independence in your career.
------------------------------------
Source careerbuilder
No comments:
Post a Comment