Do You Resent Your Boss?

Resentment is a tricky emotion. It can consume you, making it difficult to do (or enjoy) your job.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss this hot topic. They ask the question, “Do you resent your boss?” If so, how do you manage that resentment? Kathi and Katherine start with a question from an individual who works for a horrible manager, but wants to know how to get beyond the anger that comes up towards this person.

Do You Feel Deserving of a Better Job?

On this, My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine explore one of the biggest hidden reasons why people don’t apply for new jobs — not feeling deserving. They start with a question from an individual who knows it’s time to leave, has updated their resume and LinkedIn profile, but can’t seem to actually apply for new positions. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to manage the fear that may hold you back from actively engaging in a job hunt, and steps you can take to feel deserving of a better job.

Working with a Sacred Cow

On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss how to handle a very challenging kind of employee — the Sacred Cow. They start with a question from someone who recently began working at a corporate research company. He needs the assistance of a long-time employee to do his job, but that person doesn’t want to help him. During the second part of the podcast, Kathi and Katherine consider what it’s like to manage a sacred cow employee — especially when you know they will never be fired.

Remote Working — Challenges and Benefits

Do you love remote working? Or do you yearn for time in the office? In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine examine the pluses and minuses of remote working. They start with a question from someone who has a new remote job and misses the camaraderie of office life. During the second part of the podcast, Kathi and Katherine consider those people who prefer remote working and have to go back to the office.

#37: The Needy, Anxious Employee – My Crazy Office, Season 8

Kathi and Katherine talk about needy, anxious employees on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.

First we discuss how to manage an employee who is a hard-worker but also needy and anxious.

Then we give self-management advice to someone with high anxiety.

#6: Crying At Work – My Crazy Office, Season 8

Kathi and Katherine talk about crying at work on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.

First we give advice to a new manager who is trying to handle a chronic crying employee.

Then we discuss what someone who cries easily can do to manage themselves in challenging work situations.

#22: Motivation Under Adverse Conditions – My Crazy Office, Season 7

Kathi and Katherine talk about motivation under adverse conditions on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.

First we give advice to a worker having difficulty staying motivated amid company lay-offs.

Then we discuss how managers can keep staff motivated under pending lay-offs, no promotions and hiring freezes.

The Importance of Being Present

With all of the upheaval and uncertainty we are facing, it can be more challenging than ever to be in the present moment. With the threat of another wave of COVID-19, with the death and losses already endured from the virus, with the pain and outrage over police brutality and the many forms of institutional racism that plague our communities, our emotions are running at a high pitch. Our minds either race forward to predict outcomes or look back to assign blame. 

No matter how angry or sad or anxious you are, coming into the present moment can help.

Being in the present moment gives us the chance to take a break from projecting forward with catastrophic images, from obsessing about what is coming. Being present creates the space to feel our feelings, breathe into our bodies, and slow down the racing mind. 

Being present is not a solution to the many challenges that lie ahead, but it is a tool for managing our feelings and projections more effectively, so that we can take constructive actions in the short term. 

If, for example, you find yourself constantly worried about the future of your industry or concerned about losing your job, being present can give you the headspace to examine the reality of your current situation – exactly what is happening – and generate a list of small actions that you can take to protect yourself right now.  

How do we bring ourselves into the present moment?

  • Breathe – Check your breath right now. Is it shallow or deep? Is it fast or slow? Are your chest and shoulders tight or loose? Can you feel your stomach going in and out? Breathing slowly, deeply, consciously for 5 – 10 breaths will do more than anything to take you out of your head and put you into your body. Regular deep breathing will take your mind out of obsessing about tomorrow and into dealing with today. 
  • Exercise— We’ve said it before and will say it again, exercise is a great way to move the emotional and mental energy in your body, to release tension and stress, and to ground you in the present moment. The more wound up you feel, the more you will need to exercise. Run, walk, do video workouts, try yoga, play a sport – if any of these options work for you, make sure to do them.
  • Take an inventory – This tried and true technique for getting out of your head and coming into the present moment involves answering five questions that examine your current reality and clarify your options: What’s happening here (what is the story that has you emotionally wound up)? What are the facts? What is beyond my control? What is in my control? What are my options?
  • Meditate – Meditation is not about rising above what’s happening, it’s about learning to sit with whatever feelings and thoughts you have so that they aren’t just surging through your body creating discomfort. You can try meditating on your own or enlist the help of an app like Headspace, Calm, or 10% Happier. Whatever form of meditation you attempt will help usher in the present moment.

As we venture back to work, as we contend with the many public health, economic and societal challenges ahead, it is worthwhile to make a concerted effort to stay in the present moment as often as possible. By grounding ourselves in the present moment, and making short term plans, we can turn sadness into compassion, anger into activism, and anxiety into constructive planning.

Katherine Crowley – Career Therapist and co-owner of K Squared Enterprises.

Contact us at info@mycrazyoffice.co for any further help around this topic.