Work Prompt #8: What were your biggest takeaways from your work experiences this year?
Welcome back all, I hope you are all taking it easy on yourself at work this week.
Last week we discussed: What affirmations or mantras can you use to stay positive and motivated? Thank you to all who participated and shared their thoughts for discussion. I enjoyed them. I hope you all did too. If you didn't share yours, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you.
This week's prompt: What were your biggest takeaways from your work experiences this year?
As 2023 is about to depart, I want us to take a moment of reflection to look back and notice the biggest takeaways from our work experiences & journey this year. I look forward to hearing and discussing with you all!
@ASilentObserver Considering what I've put up with in my job this year, I would say that there is always alternatives.
Some rain may fall but so long as you keep a goal in perspective, other things can be endurable. If I wasn't working on an online degree, I don't think I would have put up with and continue to put up with things at work.
For me, I'm just delayed in a run-down station until another train or Greyhound can be sent out. Keeping the perspective that the situation is only temporary helps.
@Enthenia That sounds like keeping your goal and end goal in mind has helped you endure challenging situations at your work. Maintaining perspective on a difficult time being temporary can be very helpful. You have demonstrated strength in looking beyond current challenges to a brighter future. What aspects of your online degree are you most looking forward to pursuing?
@ASilentObserver I'm doing a?General Tech degrer. I wanted Data Analytics but it wasn't in a format I wanted. Right now I'm trying to work through my Project Management class.
@Enthenia It sounds like exploring new areas of study through an online degree is bringing up mixed feelings. On one hand, pursuing general tech interests you for its flexibility, yet not having data analytics in a preferred format is understandably disappointing. You are dedicated to making the most of your learning experience.
Euthenia basically answered this question for me haha
The biggest takeaway from work would have to be the changes from work. From the added tasks to dealing with problematic colleagues. Although it took me a long time, but I've slowly learned to change my thoughts. Just like how we've been told in our earlier years, to think happy thoughts when things are looking gloomy. It really works. It might be temporary, which it would mean that I'll have to think positively for a longer period in order to actually change the current mood.
As with my journey in general, I've been making progress in creating the next chapter of my life. Personal growth, I'm holding and steering my own reins now. Next week is the biggest step I'll be making, and I'm excited just thinking about it!
@Jaeteuk It sounds like this year brought both challenges and opportunities for growth at work. Dealing with changes and difficult colleagues can certainly take its toll. I am glad to hear that through reflection, you have found ways to boost your mood and perspective during gloomy times. Shifting our thoughts is so important for our well-being. You have put in the work to steer your journey, and we are all rooting for you.
Thank you, Obs. There will be more changes next year especially as we roll into the summer. As with the problematic colleague retiring, we might get another problematic past colleague joining our team. This is what I'm most afraid of, of it is who I think joins our team, that person have been holding a grudge against me for the past 2 years. So, it would not be enough for me to think happy thoughts to get ny the day. I'm hoping by then, my career change will have succeeded.
@Jaeteuk Thank you for sharing your concerns, Jae. It sounds like the possibility of a difficult colleague joining your team is weighing heavily on you. I can understand why having an existing grudge held against you would cause stress. You are determined to pursue career changes that bring you more peace. Maintaining hope and focusing on positive steps forward can help during challenging times. You trying your best and that counts, I am rooting for you.
Just thinking about the possibility of another problematic colleague joining the team, is depressing already. Almost as soon as I knew a current colleague is retiring next year, these depressing thoughts had started already. But you're right, knowing that I'm being proactive in making a career change, does help the entire negative situation less depressing.
@ASilentObserver
i learned to accept the position I am in. I applied for it, accepted it, all for a good reason. Think of the whole story not just the tiny little chapters.
@orangeHuman868 It seems this year brought realizations about accepting where you are and focusing on the bigger picture. You have found wisdom in looking beyond moments to the reasons things are as they are. Maintaining that perspective likely helps your journey, wherever it may lead. You got this, orange.
There's no job worth the amount of stress and irrational behaviour of some people.
Other than that, I have been doing the job of my life on the second half, and I'm greatful for that. I hope I can have this continue in 2024.
@Aputik It sounds like this year brought some challenging work experiences as well as positive growth in the second half. Focusing on appreciating the aspects of your job that you enjoy can help balance difficult interactions. What have you found most rewarding about the work you've been doing lately?
Freedom to try new things and learn new skills that I always wanted to learn.
@ASilentObserver
this is a great question! I think my biggest takeaway has been that it’s on to take a medical leave if you are dealing with an illness. Doing so has allowed me to take care of all of my medical needs without worry about the demands of my job.
@Kristynsmama It sounds like prioritizing your health through taking a medical leave was an important step for you. You understood that caring for yourself is so important. I am glad you were able to address your medical needs without added pressure. How did it feel to take that time away to focus fully on your needs?
@ASilentObserver
At this point it’s just frustrating because I still can’t go back to work and my body didn’t do what it needed to in order to heal enough to return to a job I love and am passionate about.
But early on, I was grateful I could take the leave.
@Kristynsmama It sounds really frustrating to not be able to return to a job you love and are passionate about. Taking time away to focus on healing is important, but it's understandable to feel disappointed that your body didn't get the chance it needed. You truly care about your work and finding a way back to it when ready. You got this Kristy We all believe in you
@ASilentObserver hi there,
I just wanted to say that the biggest take home message from my work experiences over the past year is that the little things really do make up into big ones, and that you can take on more responsibilities, just make sure that they are in your job description. It's always nice to lend an ear to listen to or a should to lean on when needed and that being there for others can also help you be there for yourself when you are ready.
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@sincerePlane4053 It is great insight to have, plane. You have grown so much from this experience. What would you recommend to someone who might be in a similar position as you were?
My work experience this year has been shaley. I do a good job in my role, but I am never looked at for promotions. I am then asked to train the people who are responsible for telling me what to do. I have tried looking for a new job, but there aren't many jobs I "qualify" for that pays the same. At this point, the only reason I am where I am now is because my friend was my boss 4 years ago and did me a favor.
@Coolzebra0419 I am sorry you are feeling frustrated by your current job situation. You feel like you are doing a good job, but are not being recognized or promoted. Can you share more about how these experiences have made you feel?
@ASilentObserver it makes me feel like a failure. I feel like I am letting my family down because I can not provide them the best opportunities possible. I have been on my job for 5 years and anytime another site needs help, I am one of the first people they send out to help, but never the first when it comes to promotions. Due to this, I believe I got promoted because my friend was my boss and did me a favor.
@Coolzebra0419 i hear you, zebra. you are experiencing difficult feelings of being seen as a failure after five years of hard work. Feeling like you are letting your family down and not being recognized for your efforts can be especially challenging. ?