Does Your Positivity Hold You Back At Work

Do you feel that no one understands your point of view? How often do you feel used and are under stress because of it?

While growing up, I always thought that team work is what mattered the most. That was a motivation that drove me. And I always noticed people doing the complete opposite. I saw people working hard to stand out of the crowd. It never made sense to me until I started working.

Most people see life as a competition. And if you aren’t competing, they think they can tread all over you. I’m sure there are a few of you who don’t believe in ‘the competition technique.’ And I think that’s amazing!

Well, you’re working for yourself, and for your contentment. Competing with others will not bring out your real potential. As a matter of fact, I’d suggest for everyone to rather compete with themselves and get better at things.

Strive to perform better than ‘you did in the past’, instead of competing with others.

Let’s admit it, most people don’t get the point. Do they?

Perhaps you’re one of the ‘they’ reading this piece.

We often fail to notice good employees at work. And if you haven’t noticed them, you’re either one of them or are as inattentive as one can be. People have a misconception that work brings in competition. It doesn’t have to always work that way. And not everything you do is going to be compared or judged by others.

But then again, not everything you do should go unseen.

Here are 5 things you can do if your positivity holds you back at work:

Don’t Be A Pushover

You know you are trying too hard to make it on your own. Don’t let others put you down or take away your credit.

You don’t have to be nice all the time. You can be as humble as one should be at work. But if you see someone crossing their line, make sure you take a stand for yourself.

“When at work, All the advice in the world will never help you until you help yourself.” – Fred Van Am Burgh

Don’t Let Toxic People’s Words Affect Your Positivity

There will always be a few people who will try to mislead you on purpose. Don’t let it get to you.

Many employees may cause circumstances that may embitter your work experience. Don’t let your self-esteem decrease due to that. If people are trying hard to distract you instead of working on themselves, you’re already better than they are. Keep going and don’t let them bother you.

It’s Fine To Say No At Work

There may be times when people will hand you some extra work. It’s normal for people to push on their workload on their co-workers or employers.

Know that you can always refuse. Prep yourself to say No! If you think you give your 100% to the company, you don’t need to please your colleagues by taking over their work. You can definitely help a colleague if you think their problem is genuine. Be sure to make the right choices. Else, it will just give people another opportunity to extract work out of you.

4. Don’t Give Away Your Credit

When you know you have done most of the work for your team, don’t just sit back and let people steal your credit.

I know that credit is not what matters the most. But remember that the credit you receive is due to the credibility you bear. And it should always work that way. Let your boss know that you have worked in just as much or more.

Like I mentioned earlier, it’s not always a competition, but don’t let your efforts go unseen.

“The leader is a teacher who succeeds without taking credit. And, because credit is not taken, credit is received.” – Lao Tzu

If you work on something good, you deserve the credit.

Irrespective Of What People Do Or Say, Keep Your Ideologies Intact

You know you’re doing a good job. Don’t let other people’s words or act get in your way. You may be helpful and kind, and you should function the same way as always!

But, then again, don’t let anyone force you to do things you don’t want to do. It may cause inconvenience as people ‘don’t always get that.’ But it’s always nice to be nice. And in the meanwhile, keep in mind that you don’t over-do it.

Your character is perfect. And you’re doing a great job by being positive.

Keep your ideologies alive as you’re doing it for yourself.

I’ve always heard people say that “you’re too good to be true”, and I honestly don’t get the point of it.

There will always be someone who is better at something than the others. That doesn’t make your existence more worthy.

What I think makes your existence make a difference, is when people understand why you are the way you are. Even though they say things otherwise.

“Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.” – Machiavelli

[This post by Rochel Lewis first appeared on Jobspire and has been reproduced with permission.]

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