“This has got to change” becomes “I’m changing this”
Improving our health at work often requires us to change some of our habits. For every change, three forces are needed: energy, concentration and motivation.
But a constant work overload can leave little room to adopt permanent changes. Our strength is instead entirely devoted to the tasks at hand, so we no longer have enough energy and time to invest in our own health. However, personal changes are essential to improve the situation. For this, it is important to follow certain principles.
1. Select one small change at a time
Consider which change is going to have a real impact on your health at work and your quality of life. If the change is too great, split it up into “micro-changes” that you can implement on a day-to-day basis. Be humble and lower expectations, to remain realistic about what you can achieve, factoring in your working conditions.
2. Commit to change and believe in it
A personal commitment requires focus and attention, but it doesn’t call for extra energy or effort. It’s a matter of channelling your energy in a chosen direction. To commit to the change, it’s essential to be convinced that it is useful and necessary.
3. Get into action and “exercise” every day
Just as physical training strengthens your muscles, regular exercises can help to strengthen your “mental muscles” and establish good habits one step at a time.
4. Feeling uncomfortable is a good sign that change is in progress
Discomfort doesn’t mean that you are not managing to change; discomfort is necessary for many of our changes to take place. “This isn’t what I’m familiar with, but it’s not yet what it could be.” The transformation is taking place, so be encouraged by the temporary feeling of discomfort.
5. Reinforce the new habit by validating it
Take time to note and appreciate the change that you have accomplished. Value it in order to strengthen your confidence in your ability to change. Once the change has been integrated as a new habit, it costs you no extra energy to maintain it. Go back to step 1 to tackle a new change.
Take action
As part of the “Efficiency and caring at work” campaign, the Work Well Feel Well website now offers useful resources that can be downloaded, including an exercise that provides a checklist of personal goals to help to prevent burnout. Choose one goal at a time related to your body, limits, resources and ways to keep a healthy distance from work.
This is now the final article in a series that has spanned two years. Each article contains a wealth of information and resources for you to look back on as needed.
