To stay away from the negativity bug, one has to live an awakened life
Most of us spend nearly a third of our life at work and so the quality of our life is greatly connected to our experiences there. That is why it is very important to have a wonderful workplace that can enrich our lives, provide a sense of purpose, and accomplishment, and be a source of friendships and social connections. But, very few of us are lucky to get such an environment at our offices, because today with so much competition around, offices are becoming a crazy place to be in, as a result of which we spend more time working under a highly stressful environment which is taking a negative toll on our overall well-being.
Research done over the past few years shows that positive environments at the workplace produce positive benefits specifically to engagement, relationships and health. Conversely, one of the biggest downfalls to a negative or fear-based environment is higher healthcare costs due to workplace stress and lower engagement. According to a popular analytics company, disengaged workers had 37% higher absenteeism, 49% more accidents, and 60% more errors and defects. All these figures call for a higher need to create a positive and employee-friendly environment at offices, because a positive workplace leads to increased productivity, better employee morale and the ability to keep skilled workers. However, before introducing any changes at the workplace, one needs to do a reality check first. To start with, let us see what a typical office day is like.
So, as soon as the day begins, ask someone a customary ‘How are you ?’ and the usual reply that comes in is ‘Life’s just going on' as if they are just dragging through it. Many old timers who are always late, order tea as soon as they arrive in the office. The newness of the day is no kick start to them as they are always in their self-created world. As tea is served, they lavishly splurge on all the messy information of the day before and blame those who are not present there. Many employees soon pick up a distaste for such colleagues for "not doing their job properly’. They are just too burdened to peacefully manage with them and succumb to being judgmental, adding more load to their already burdened minds. While criticizing things that they have little control over— the sad ways of the world, the corruption at all levels and the wrongs done by other people— they circulate so much waste and negative energy that the atmosphere in the office is hardly left with any zeal and goodwill to make a difference in areas where they really can. Amidst this whole negativity, some honest employees, bubbling with creative energy, do put in a great effort but are often disappointed for yet being reprimanded or not being recognized through gestures or perks.
On the other hand, over-ambitious and over-smart employees who are always on their toes, sneak into political discussions and play games of jealousy, hatred and animosity to win over in the race, making the air around them stink with insecurity. As a result of all these, while some employees return home tired from the sheer monotony of life, or are stressed out for never getting their due, others are drained out while climbing up the ladder by hook or crook. It is quite strange that a place that is buzzing with action should have a positive and zealous environment rather than a negative or polluting environment. The reason for this is that very few of us today are driven by simply the joy of working.It requires no external input, not even anyone's recognition. To stay away from the negativity bug, one has to live an awakened life. A life where one consciously creates happiness and pledges to secure it even when situations and people turn adverse. At our workplace, which ought to be a place of creativity and healthy social exchange, one must practise tolerance and forgiveness and turn over a new leaf each day. Remember! workplaces have the potential of becoming an extended family if relations are nurtured with respect and the dignity of a human being is not compromised irrespective of his performance at work.
(Writer is a spiritual educator & a popular columnist)