Filling out the questionnaire for my annual checkup, I realized that, fortunately, my stress level is under control. I often see people suffering from burnout, dissatisfied with their quality of life and unwell, without realizing that work is the major culprit. I consider myself lucky not to be among them. But is it really luck?
Years ago, I made the decision that my job would no longer define me. It wasn’t an easy or spontaneous decision. It was the result of a dismissal that, as humanized as it may have been (a friendly divorce), left deep marks. I was no longer Gabriela from company X. I was just Gabriela. Losing such a large part of my identity was very difficult. I had no idea how significant it was until I couldn’t describe myself without starting with my job title and the company I worked for. But in this sensitive moment, I found tremendous support in a former boss, and through ontological coaching, I learned to see myself and my work from a different perspective.
This doesn’t mean that miraculously everything changed. In my next job, I found myself in a very stressful situation that made me ill, even with a suspected diagnosis of multiple sclerosis—fortunately not confirmed. Years under extremely unprepared leadership, lack of boundaries, and excessive pressure for results, as if we weren’t going through a pandemic, made me and many other colleagues sick. But I managed to bounce back, understand that the feeling of inadequacy wasn’t mine, and that I didn’t need and shouldn’t accept that situation as normal. I began setting boundaries, taking care of myself physically and mentally, and ultimately, I repositioned myself. Today, I have a much more enjoyable relationship with my work. I commit, strive, aspire to grow, and be recognized as a competent and dedicated professional. But I fully understand that what I do is exchange my expertise, effort, and time for money, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
My job title and the company I work for do not define my worth as a person. I am Gabriela, an animal lover, documentary enthusiast, vegetarian, Palmeiras supporter, Oasis fan, wife, and, among many other things, the current training manager at a multinational in the direct sales sector. It might seem mercenary, but it’s an honest and much more satisfying relationship than I experienced in previous professional endeavors. I feel much more mature professionally and capable of performing better by seeing my work as just one of my facets and not placing all my ambitions and expectations on it.
If your relationship with work or the company you’re in isn’t healthy, I invite you to look at your experience with fresh eyes. And I wish you wisdom and confidence to change that situation.
How about starting 2024 with mental and physical health in check and professional satisfaction?
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For more on this topic, check out other posts under the career tag.
