Workplace Negativity

During coaching meetings, questions often arise about negativity in the workplace and how to handle it.  For the past three blogs, I’ve been talking about negativity and its effects so, I thought this would be a good time to go a bit deeper.  Last week, I gave suggestions on how you can handle negativity in the workplace pertaining to others; however, what if it’s you that has a negative mindset at work?  What then?

When you have a negative mindset, it’s going to affect every aspect of your life. Your energy impacts those around you. If you bring negative energy into the workplace, it’s going to have several repercussions. Here, you’ll be reminded how negativity affects your job. You will also see how you can start to eliminate your own negativity in the workplace.

There are many areas where negativity can have an impact on your job. When you have a negative mindset, it can affect your performance, work relationships, and overall wellbeing. Have you noticed that negativity attracts more negativity? It certainly does, and if you go into work with a negative attitude, it is going to rub off on your coworkers, too. This will lead to a tense workplace and higher levels of stress.

Having a negative outlook can also cause issues with your own performance. You may not apply for new opportunities as they arise causing you to miss out on a potentially better job or position. You will also notice your energy levels are lower, and the quality of your work will suffer, as a result. These are just some of the ways negativity can impact your job. The good news is,  you can change all of this!

There are ways you can become a more positive person at work, but it may take quite a bit of effort to overcome your negative thinking, especially if you have been thinking negatively for a long time. That’s why it’s vitally important to work on your thought life, which is what Christianlifecoachtools.com is all about!  Helping you overcome your negative thoughts and replacing them with Christ-honoring thoughts is our mission.

The best ways to combat negativity at work include:

• Identify the cause
• Think of something you are thankful for
• Talk to your boss about concerns/issues
• Distance yourself from negative coworkers

Identifying the cause of your negativity is crucial because it enables you to figure out the best ways to combat it. There could be numerous reasons why you have a more negative attitude at work than you do in other places. Maybe you keep getting passed over for a promotion, or you are bored with your current role.  Perhaps you feel underutilized, or as if you are not appreciated for the work you do.

Whenever you feel yourself slumping into a negative mood, think of something you are thankful for.  After all, this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you, according to 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV.  It’s difficult to remain negative when you are thinking of something positive, right?

You may also find it useful to talk to your boss if you haven’t already. If you are unhappy with something, let it be known.  Ask for a promotion, rather than waiting for one. You could also ask for further training opportunities and more responsibility. If you have coworkers who are negative, make sure you distance yourself from them, as much as possible. It could be that others are in a negative mood and distancing yourself from them will protect your energy and not drain your positivity.  If they see you with a more positive outlook, it will help them to develop one, too.  Why not be the example?

As you can see, there are several ways you can address your negativity in the workplace. You don’t have to continue in your “stinking thinking” while at work. You can change your thinking and that has the power to change your mood.  Identifying the root cause is the key to finding the right solution. If you consider yourself to be just naturally negative, working on developing a more positive mindset will help. However, this will take time, so don’t expect results overnight. Take it one thought at a time.

If you’d like someone to assist you, encourage you, and walk alongside you, BOOK NOW your free Greet and Meet coaching call at Christianlifecoachtools.com on the home page. We’d be glad to help!