The ManicaPost
Kudakwashe Melisa Kapesa Talking Human Resources
Peace of mind is the absence of mental anxiety or stress. Hello good people, last time we talked about Dr Belbin‘s team role theory and discussed the different roles that individuals in an organisation can take up.
| Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves. |
Today we delve our focus on how to achieve peace of mind at the workplace.
Stress is inevitable nowadays and many people are letting this stress toil them in every direction and they end up becoming bitter and resentful.
The workplace brings together people of different characters and behaviour, and this often causes friction, resentment and sometimes stress.
It could be that your boss is too demanding, co-workers may be unpleasant, office gossip could be centred on you at the moment, the external customers might be too demanding or unfriendly, there might be too much work and less time, or the working conditions are just not comfortable enough.
These are some of the reasons, why most people eagerly wait for their vacation.
A vacation provides a relaxing get away from stressful daily life and enables a person to find some peace.
The good news is that you do not have to wait for your vacation! You can learn to gain inner peace and enjoy every moment, right where you are. When your mind is peaceful, the whole environment becomes peaceful.
Tips for Peace of Mind
at the Workplace
Peaceful Affirmation
An affirmation is a solemn declaration. People often think affirmations are used in churches only, but such is not the case, you can make an affirmation wherever you are.
Therefore each day, before you enter your workplace, repeat several times the following affirmation with feeling, faith and attention.
“My mind is peaceful throughout the whole day.
I radiate peace around me.
I talk peacefully, politely and with a smile.
I choose to act and work peacefully”.
The Law of the Garbage truck
How often do you let other people‘s issues affect your mood? It could be a harsh comment passed on by an insensitive co-worker, it could be a moody response you got after asking a sincere question. To be honest, there is always something or someone there to steal your joy if you let them.
The law of the garbage truck as developed by David J Pollay states that,
“Many people are like garbage trucks.
They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.
As their garbage piles up, they look for a place to dump it.
And if you let them, they will dump it on you. So when someone wants to dump on you, do not take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on”.
I have seen co-workers not in speaking terms because the other person offended them last year, or a decade ago.
Be part of the solution and
not the problem
The word is filled with peaceful people, but if you cannot find one, become one! In today ‘s work environment, I have observed that we all want to be “right”. If someone is rude to us, we are rude back, if someone passes on a critical comment, we want to retaliate.
I believe that an eye for an eye will eventually make the world blind and sometimes one should be willing to be the bigger person or take on the high road.
For example, if the people you meet talk in a loud voice, are impolite and tense, you will probably react and behave accordingly, hereby raising your level of tension.
On the other hand, if you stay calm, talk, act and react peacefully, people unconsciously emulate your behaviour.
You become a leading power, no matter what is your position at work.
One Two Breathe
Whenever you feel tension or anger building in you, take three deep slow breaths before talking or acting.
Pay attention to the words you think, say or write. Use only positive words and be polite. Whenever you find yourself raising your voice, lower it immediately.
Talk in a medium pitch voice, not too loud or too low, and do not let the loudness of co worker’s voices influence yours.
Find your safe haven
A haven is a place of safety of refuge. Several times during your workday find a quiet place. It may be at your desk, or if it is not quiet enough there, it can be at the bathroom, an empty room or some other quiet spot. For several moments, visualise a beautiful location that you love, or some event that made you happy.
Feel as if you are there now, and enjoy the feelings that rise within you.
Personally when I am stressed or overwhelmed, I make use of the workplace bathroom. To conclude, life is short and we cannot wait for vacation so as to find peace in our lives. Three quarters of our days are spent in the workplace and therefore each day make a conscience decision to be peaceful wherever you are.
Furthermore do not waste your time and energy analysing, thinking about other people’s motives and behaviour, but focus on you finding peace and commit that same energy to your work.
Continue emailing your feedback at [email protected] or leave your written feedback at the Manica Post building.
