We are all aware that today we work in totally different working environments than our parents. Those environments have their benefits and also can have disadvantages if we don’t know how to deal with them.
The “new” work environments are intense and test our limits and resilience on a daily basis. We can even say that resilience is our inborn quality, but sometimes it is really difficult to balance business and private life so that everything goes smoothly on both sides.
By adopting certain strategies for approaching work and putting health first, we can balance our values and well-being to lead us on a sustainable path of a challenging career.
Let’s start that journey.
The Role of Personal Values in Building Career Resilience
A good fit between your personal values and work has been shown to increase emotional resilience. Even research has shown that people who have chosen a career with a stronger sense of purpose have stronger motivation when things are difficult for them and better solve problems they face. It is not only about “surviving” the situation, but about fulfillment and motivation with work.
Personal values are your guide through life. If you also balance your career with them – you are on the horse. Every task will be easier for you to do and everything you do will gain some meaning which immediately makes work easier. Those specific activities like medics, teachers, or builders are highlighted because community work triggers long-term satisfaction.
To illustrate, take the case of something like the ‘American Worker Collection’. It’s easy to see how it helps celebrate the dedication and the spirit of the American working class. (Seemingly) small things like that are extremely important in daily life. There’s great joy and satisfaction in aligning your values with hard work and service. And even more, joy comes from the pride of wearing that symbol.
By realizing and cherishing the worth, you’re also engaging yourself in a worthy cause, which is satisfying in itself. And the satisfaction that comes out of that, that smile, it’s surely going to help in alleviating needless stress and the chances of experiencing a burn-out.
4 Strategies for Maintaining Well-Being in High-Pressure Careers
If you balance your well-being with your workload, you are on a good way to being mentally and physically fit to keep fighting.
- Importance of Maintaining Your Physical Health
Physical health is the foundation of being able to bounce back quickly in the face of challenges. Do some exercise – work out. It doesn’t have to be anything spectacular, like doing 400 lb deadlifts each day. No, just going to the gym and doing some normal weights. Activate those muscles. Or some good old cardio will also do the trick (running; heck, even jogging or walking is amazing for your health).
How long ago did you consume any proper/healthy food? Oh and last but not least, also get into the habit of getting your 8 hours of sleep (and go to bed early instead of watching Netflix/YouTube, or staring at your phone up until 2 AM).
Just these few things will uppen your mood and bring out the energy levels that you thought you’d lost in your younger days.
This is perhaps even the most important for concentration, dealing with stress, and general functioning in everyday life.
And, of course, drink plenty of water.
- Mental Health and Stress Management
Stress and pressures leave consequences that may not be physically visible, but they definitely affect us. Meditation (or something you like) reduces stress, gets you “back on the emotional track” and helps you control stressful situations. Occasional breaks during the day can help you to reset a little bit.
- Social Connections and Support Systems
Have your own little circle of great people where you support each other. Emotional support is a critical component and protects the members of an organization from the harsh (sometimes ‘cold’) aspects of business.
Either having people around you who are facing common issues, and resolving them together (two heads are better than one), or having a support system in place that will take care of you on an emotional level can help you develop as a human being and deal with daily hardships much more effectively than solely relying on yourself to deal with all of it.
- Setting Boundaries and Managing Workload
Being able to define where work begins and where it ends is vital for your overall health. Don’t take your work home. Your home is your sanctuary. There shouldn’t be any stresses defiling that place. And, of course, it’s easier said than done. Sure. But simply you being aware of that will help you in doing so.
Sometimes, the first step in dealing with a problem is realizing that the problem exists. Once you’re there, you’ll be more mindful about it, and that will impact your decision-making (in a good way).
Also, regarding workload. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. It’s ok to say “no” (even to yourself). People will actually respect you more if you have integrity. And you will respect yourself more, as well (that’s the important part).
Integrating Values and Well-Being to Build Long-Term Resilience
When you choose a career that supports your values, a large part of your life comes into balance just because you’re doing what you like (and maybe vice versa). Such feelings “force” you to work harder and progress in order to achieve as much as possible – and it is not difficult for you because you know what you are fighting for.
If you have some free time, you can also think about community service or volunteering to expand your activities even more.
Workplaces and companies that harmonize values with work initiatives have higher success rates and more satisfied employees, and at the end, lower employee fluctuation. And why? The job gives them satisfaction because it has a purpose. Places where employees feel that they are valued as people and that their work is valued, they are more loyal and will give more of themselves to make the business succeed.
Conclusion
Resilience in challenging careers is not just a defense mechanism for dealing with difficulties. It is in your inner strength born of personal values that sustain you as you fight business battles. Balance your life in order to remain mentally and physically healthy so that you can enjoy other activities that your personal life offers you.
Don’t forget that resilience is built not only in business fields but also in personal ones. Fight for your values because that is what pushes you forward.
