Are you suffering from a toxic work environment?
‘When I started a new job, I was feeling pretty confident about myself and my overall accomplishments. I was happy, full of energy and I was looking forward to this new job. However, after a few weeks, I started to feel stressed and anxious. Unhealthy thoughts came into my mind. Maybe I was wrong about my capabilities. Maybe I am this incompetent, unknowledgeable person that needs to be controlled and who’s work needs to be scrutinised all the time. I couldn’t sleep, I was eating unhealthy food and I certainly didn’t feel like socialising with friends anymore. I slowly changed from a bubbly confident person full of energy to this depressed car wreck. ‘
Blog of the week by Tineke Zoet
Does this sound familiar? Are you working in what is considered a toxic work environment?
- Do you feel undervalued, overworked, and stressed by your job?
- Do you feel physically ill from the mere idea of getting out of bed in the morning to face yet another day at work?
Our workplace can be a very toxic place for all kinds of reasons. Think about: involuntary changes in work situations, company takeover, change of managerial staff, missing out on a promotion, favouritism, bullying or not being appreciated.
A toxic work environment is a very personal experience. What is considered toxic for one person might be a thriving environment for another.
A toxic work environment can really break you mentally and physically. It is especially important to recognise the early signs like; lack of sleep, not eating very well, feeling physically sick when you think about your work, feeling stressed and anxious while at work.
These are important early warning signs. Do not play down the problem by saying to yourself: ‘oh my problems are not important, it is not that bad, I am sure we all go through bad times, it could be much worse, it is toxic everywhere’ etc.
No matter how small the situation or circumstances of toxicity, if the tiniest poison has been injected into your body or mind, it will stay there until you deal with it and prevent it from spreading all over your private life and happiness. You are worth it!
My first key tip is for you to try and focus on the areas of your work that make you happy and satisfied. Your team might still be great to work with despite the failing company culture and lack of management morale. Or your salary is great and although you want to leave the job, the salary might be your point of focus right now. Shift your focus on what does work for you and remind yourself why you are there. This is a first important step. After that you can start dealing with the problem itself.
Never make important life changing decisions when you are feeling depressed and angry. Create some space in your mind first so you can focus on what really matters to you in your life and career. As a maritime life and career coach I can help you with this. I focus on helping professionals to survive and thrive in toxic work environments and navigate career challenges.
For more key survival tips, download my eBook ‘𝟏𝟒 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐭𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐜 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.’
In this eBook I give you 14 key survival tips towards thriving in a toxic work environment. These tips have helped some of the toughest leaders in their field, as nobody is spared from the harmful side effects from a toxic work environment. I feel personally very passionate about this eBook. I wish I knew all of this when I was working in a Toxic workplace, so I am sure they will help you get through this difficult situation right away. The tips in this book are your first steps towards thriving in a toxic workplace.
Who am I – I help professionals within the maritime industry to achieve their career goals by overcoming personal challenges and anxieties as to increase self-confidence and build positive relationships within the work environment.
