The emotional stress of compromise
How many of us have the career we thirst for? Who has turned down opportunities due to our family circumstances? Falling short of our career aspirations due to making compromises may cause stress. It may have been in our own hands, but it slipped passed us and now there is only frustration and regret.
Pragmatism is about getting things done and is much lauded by many people. However, to achieve a result we often make compromises, which may be a positive thing to do to be able to move forward. But, for some compromise isn’t an approach to get to an outcome, so much as a resignation to fate. I would like to change jobs but…
- I have a guaranteed income (until I am made redundant)
- My family are settled
- I am unsure if I could change now
- My pension is crucial
- At least I know this job
- I have the skills to do my current job
So, we sit in a job, which has some merits, and think wistfully about how life could have turned out in other circumstances. It is easier to go along with the status quo than be radical. There is an amount of security in the known, even if the greater opportunities, fun and satisfaction lie elsewhere.
Therefore, we are compromising and becoming more frustrated every day. The pressure builds until it is stress:
- We hate the thought of going to do a job we used to like
- Every evening has the Sunday night sense of dread
- Meetings are feared
- Targets and commitments are missed because our job drains us of the energy needed
- The once very rare days off work are multiplying
- Headaches are genuinely increasing
And all because we are compromising. Even the current job might be better with a few tweaks, so what are they? Have you even thought about it?
Rob Ball
Connections:
07850 954075
rob.ball@workhorizons.com
rob.ball@naturallyconcerned.com
Websites:
Work Horizons – Organisational renewal through engaged, productive people
Naturally Concerned – Developing better business leaders
www.framingourfuture.com
Books:
Beating the Wisdom of Hindsight: 75 Ways to Pursue Fulfilment and Avoid Regrets eBook : Ball, Rob: Amazon.co.uk
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Sponges-Overcoming-behaviours-absorb/ Online Programs:
Empower Change by Learning to Live Well (indegu.co.uk)
Expanding Your Work Horizons (indegu.co.uk)
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