The quest for workplace solutions is a common one. If you feel frustrated in your workplace or are experiencing career burnout, you may find more accessible solutions by simply changing your focus from “what” to “how.”
When you are seeking workplace solutions in a difficult work situation, it’s easy to see problems in all the external circumstances.
For instance it’s your unreasonable boss who is the problem.
Or maybe you have a co-worker who isn’t doing their fair share. It could be the company policies that cramp your style.
Or perhaps you feel you aren’t getting paid enough or that you’re working too many hours.
These external circumstances are what I call the “whats” of your work situation.
“Whats” include tangible things like:
- The company you work for
- What your boss is like
- What the company culture is like
- What your title is
- What your salary is
While these can be relevant complaints, I have found that the best way to create real workplace solutions and combat career burnout is to focus on something other than external circumstances and people (the whats).
That something is the “how,” meaning:
How do you bring yourself to what you do?
The “hows” are about your attitude, your behaviors, your habits, and patterns.
This is the inner work of life and work transformation.
There are two good reasons to focus on the “hows” instead of the “whats.”
The first reason is that these are all things that are within your power to change and modify.
The second reason is (and I promise you, in my years of coaching experience, this is usually the case)
MOST of your dissatisfaction is actually related to the hows.
In fact, I would be so bold as to say that they make up 80% of the problem, whereas the whats make up only about 20%.
And this is not only what I have discovered with my clients.
It’s what I discovered about myself when I left my corporate job and started my coaching career.
By shifting your focus to the hows, you empower yourself to find the solutions you seek, rather than expecting external circumstances to change.
Is your work situation frustrating you? Do you hate your job, but have no idea what to do instead? Attempting to navigate those waters without support is not fun (yes, I do know, but that’s another story). I’m excited to announce that I’ve created The Job I Love Toolkit, with all the resources you’ll need to finally clarify how to get paid to do you.TM To be the first to hear more details, join the VIP Wait List.
And if you know a friend or neighbor who could use hearing the advice in this article or needs The Job I Love Toolkit, please forward this to them.