Turn Envy into your super secret power,Succeed & LIVE HAPPIER
Have you ever looked at someone and thought, “Why don’t I have what they have?” or “Why didn’t I come up with that idea?” and proceeded to melt into a puddle of jealousy, envy and self-doubt?
Envy isn’t the enemy, it’s a valuable clue to who you want to be and how to get there.
Dealing with jealousy can be a huge struggle for so many of us and her i want to help you discover the difference between jealousy and envy, plus explaining you few techniques that will turn your envy into a powerful tool for self-motivation using simple methods to take that awful feeling and turn it into a positive and activating force.
Sound impossible? I assure you, it’s not.
To prove it, here are three times you’re sure to feel jealous in the office, as well as how you can use each one to boost your own motivation and reputation.
1. WHEN SOMEONE ELSE SCORES A PROMOTION
Your coworker was just promoted. And, while it’s not even a position you were in line for, you can’t help but to feel a twinge of jealousy at the very thought of her pay increase and shiny new job title.
Sure, you respond to that office-wide email thread with a hearty, “Congratulations, Dear!” and gladly indulge in a piece of that celebratory cake in the break room. But, on the inside? That envy monster is slowly consuming you.
“When is it my turn?” you ponder to yourself as you pack up that leftover cake and stick it in the fridge. “I deserve a step up around here, too!”
How to use your jealousy. There’s nothing that can inspire an intense bout of envy quite like someone else in your workplace getting promoted.
It doesn’t matter if you weren’t up for consideration or the new role isn’t even in your department–everyone in your office will suddenly feel slighted.
Rather than wallowing in your own self-pity and dreaming of the days you’ll get your own delicious “way to go!” ice-cream cake, you’re better off analyzing the situation to determine what steps you’ll need to take to reach that same milestone.
Was that newly promoted person there for a certain amount of time? Did he go above and beyond what was expected of him–such as frequently volunteering for the company’s blood drive? Did he recently reach some major achievement that became the catalyst for this next step?
Yes, you’re allowed to feel a little envious. But once you’ve taken a moment, set those feelings aside and take a good, hard look at the situation to determine what exactly you need to do to follow in those footsteps.
2. WHEN YOUR COLLEAGUE RECEIVES PRAISE
You’re in a team meeting when your supervisor openly compliments your coworker on a job well done. “Kudos to Rob for churning out such a top-notch report under such a tight deadline,” he says in front of your entire team.
But what do you actually hear? Likely a little something like, “Rob is the greatest employee this company has ever had, and he’s putting the rest of you low-life schmucks to shame around here.”
Whenever someone else in your office receives recognition–be it praise or an official award–it’s only natural to feel a little envious of her success. But there’s something better you could be doing with your time and energy.
How to use your jealousy. First things first, make sure you recognize your coworker’s hard work as well. You may be jealous, but you still want to be an encouraging team player.
What next? Resist the urge to go head-to-head to this person. That type of passive aggressive approach will only breed tension, and likely only make you look a little on the crazy side.
Instead, your best course of action is to file this person away as a resource who you can lean on when you’re feeling stuck or have specific questions. Obviously, Rob knows what it takes to not only get a project done–but get it done well. So, rather than resenting him for that, why not learn from him?
Do that and you’ll instantly turn the tables–a situation that previously existed to eat away at your confidence will now actually help you to continuously improve.
3. WHEN YOUR COWORKER LANDS A BIG PROJECT
Your department is responsible for handling a ridiculously daunting project, and your boss is keeping his eyes peeled for one of you to spearhead the entire thing. You’re absolutely sure that you’ll be the chosen one who earns that coveted spot.
You may be jealous, but you still want to be an encouraging team player.
So when your boss announces that John will be leading in charge, you’re understandably surprised. This project is make or break–how could he possibly entrust it to John? What does he have that you don’t have?
We’ve all been there. Even if you didn’t particularly want the assignment (it means extra work, after all), you still feel as if your boss should’ve been knocking at your door just begging you to take it on.
But that’s not the way things played out, and now you’re left feeling envious of John–the one who apparently proved himself worthy enough of such a large responsibility.
How to use your jealousy. So you weren’t picked to head up the entire project. Yes, that’s a bit of a blow to your ego. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still be involved and prove that you’re a worthwhile member of the team.
If the task is truly that important, John is likely going to need (and desperately want) some extra help. So drop those feelings of resentment, step up to the plate, and offer to take on some additional work.
You’ll strengthen a relationship with your teammate, get to learn some new things, and prove to your boss and coworkers that you’re willing to go the extra mile. With all of that, you’ll likely be the one gaining some well-deserved recognition soon.
We all feel jealous sometimes–particularly in our careers. But just because it’s a natural emotion, that doesn’t necessarily make it beneficial.
So, the next time you feel envy taking over in the office, remember these three situations and do your best to rise above. In the end, you’ll be much better off.
We can’t think of eight to 10 things, but you can probably think of one to three things.” From a place of high self-esteem, you can put your focus back on yourself and your life, rather than making comparisons that lead to ugly actions. You feel free to use the best ideas, wherever they come from.
See you tomorrow with Way #49 To Live Your Dream Life
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ABOUT MARWA ABD EL AZIZ
Marwa is a pioneer and expert in developing projects to build revenue, profits and corporate visibility with extensive experience in all facets of projects starting with site identification, developing and overseeing the implementation of the feasibility plans for projects; actively participating in the various financial analysis, acquisition, master planning, design review and tendering.
She is in the UAE Property Development industry Since 2001 during which she has coordinated all administrative activities pertaining to construction projects with an overall budget exceeding 5 billion.
Marwa holds an Architectural Engineering degree, PMP and Master in Project Management from the American Academy U.S.A.
More info: https://pdcconsult.com
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