Good job! Now go and have some fun! That’s the sign displayed in the parking lot at my 8-6 work. 

I believe that the company’s intention is good, they are trying to be cool and letting you know that they care for you. 

But, the only thing that came to my mind when I saw it was: they are asking me to go and have fun after work because they are assuming that work is not fun? 

This made me realize that this is a thought that it’s not just sneaking into this sign, but everywhere you look at when you are at work, or when you talk about work. 

Have you ever hear things like: “it’s just another day at work”, “I wish it was Friday”, “I can’t wait for the weekend to come”, “I have the Monday blues” … 

All these things are clear signs that you are not having fun while you work, that you wish you were somewhere else, that you are not enjoying what you are doing and that your only relief comes on the weekends or whenever it’s your time off.

I’m guilty of saying some of these things too, specially of wishing that the weekend was here…

But I realized that trying to wish out my week in anticipation for my time off was wasting my own precious life. 

I’m just wishing away days that are the only thing I have control off for something in the future that I cannot control.

I understood that I had this type of thinking a couple of years ago and I decided to change it. 

That shift in thinking was the difference that kept me in my job during the downturns in the industry, when we lost three quarters of our employees. 

And, it was what helped me getting a promotion and a salary increase during the same downturn… 

What’s the SHIFT IN THINKING that I’m talking about? 

It’s the shift from thinking “oh, it’s just another day at work…” to “hey, I get to go to work!”.

With that NEW MINDSET, my new focus at work was, how can I help? And how can I do my best?

And, during the downturn, when there were not a lot of projects to work on, I opened myself up to help with whatever was available, even if it was not what I was supposed to do based on my job description.

I got more involved with employee’s groups, and I got to know new people.

All these new things helped me to be noticed by my department manager and in the end this new connection was a lifesaver for my job and for me. 

This mindset shift was REFRAMING my thinking. 

I wanted to keep my job. There were not new projects. The situation was not ideal. 

So, if I couldn’t change the situation, what could I do to CHANGE THE OUTCOME? 

I changed my thinking. I reframed my view. I upgraded my mindset.

I stopped thinking that it was just another day at work. I started getting involved and offering my help to whatever was available. 

Reframing is a powerful tool that you can use in your own life. 

Whenever you are facing a difficult situation, you can SHIFT your VIEW to make it favorable. 

It’s not an easy shift. It takes effort and work. You’ll still want to revert to your old way of thinking. 

But, with work and practice, you can shift your view, and then you’ll start seeing the results.

You’ll be amazed at the power of this tool. 

I encourage you to practice this in your own life. 

Are there any situations in your life that are not how you’d like them to be? 

What would happen if you change your mindset, instead of trying to change your situation?

Let me know in the comments below if you’ve ever tried this tool. Or, if you plan on trying it! 

Remember, you have the power and control to change your life. Shout it out: Oh Hell Yeah I Am in control!

xoxo,

Sofia