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next step in developing happiness: stop judging!

This week was horrendous at work. We were down a few staff members due to ilness and vacation time. The pace was beyond hectic and I was feeling angry that other staff that were there would not pull any additional duties. At times, I felt quite overwhelmed! I was feeling very negative towards others when I overheard them say, "That's not my job!" In my head, I could hear myself angrily say, "But the person who does that is not here, and it's something that has to be done! I'm working and you are sitting around chit-chatting!"

As the week went on, I noticed something. Even though I was overwhelmed with work, my boss approached me several times to do things that he could have done himself. I assumed he felt these duties were beneath his status. It dawned on me that if the boss is not a team player, then the players on his team will not be one, either. Also, I am the newest member of the staff, being in the department less than 6 months. I have observed that staff will complain that I am running behind on duties, but no one will lift a finger to assist even when their duties are done. Is this the experience that the other staff members had when they first started? So, they do not do anything additional than their main duties? Are they protecting themselves from being overwhelmed? Once you think about it that way, some of the anger disappears when no one lends a helping hand.

The theme is this: Don't automatically judge others! It definitely erodes your personal happiness and your bonding with people. Try to understand that there are reasons for why most people act the way they do. As long as someone is not being abusive to you, don't feel you need to change the situation. It would be nice if everyone could meet our standards on the job, but is it worth the cost of your personal happiness to try to make it happen? I think not!

Posted by karend on 2008-07-26 10:05:51 | Rating: