Both professional and non-professional fields need established boundaries. Learn how you can form some for yourself to prevent future work-related problems.
For most people, a full to part-time job is essential for meeting daily needs and maintaining a desired standard of living. Certain individuals are lucky to work in a job or professional sector they like. The rest must make the most of their current job, hoping for newer horizons to open up. Until then, how does one make the most in an non-glorified workplace? Especially when problems arise, creating an over-abundance of stress and responsibility.
Lack of Boundaries in the Workplace
A lack of boundaries in the workplace is caused by several variables. Here are a few issues that arise and can become problematic when not addressed in a respectful, timely manner.
- You receive other’s responsibilities on top of your own. Helping coworkers and/or friends out is nice. Enabling friends/coworkers helps no one, and leaves you feeling burdened and overwhelmed. Learn to discern between the two and establish solid, clear boundaries.
- In most cases, a little extra overtime is expected. But if it becomes an constant occurrence in the workplace and carries over into your home life, then you have a problem. Take another look at your job deails and see if you are going over the predetermined standards. Review your responsibilities and complete each one based on level of importance and priority. Anything you list that is not a part of your job description or expectations should be addressed with your superior.
- Challenging coworkers. Ah, no way around this one, is there! It boils down to this: you cannot change another single person. No, you cannot. You can change only yourself. It’s OK to let go if you can’t change the situation This is not an easy task for anyone, but in the end, you will come out a happier, joy-filled person.
- Super-critical coworkers or boss. You will come into contact with a “perfectionist” personality at some time. Perfectionists tend to expect more out of others than they do themselves. If you focus your work on trying to gain their approval, they will overstep boundaries. Don’t let them. Remember, critical, perfectionist people are more miserable than you realize. After all, people who pick out the negative and create a hostile and bully atmosphere are reflecting what is in their heart … and it is usually not pretty. Don’t play the insecure game, but be kind to them. They won’t expect it, and probably need it.
- Taking home the stress. Work is work, home is home. Keep them separate. Conflict at work is difficult, but leave it there. This can be done, and is not as hard as you think.
Time to Find a New Job
The advice below will benefit you if you’re happy with your current situation. But if you unhappy at your job, then you’re wasting your time. In the meantime, seek to find your God-given talents, abilities and gifts. A dream is lurking in your heart, but it is up to you, and you alone, to develop it.
