How Helping Others Can Make You Better
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An excellent article on HBR highlights some research that I found interesting and useful. If you have followed me for some time, you know I don’t like the idea of “work-life balance”. Work plays a role in the one life we have. While we are working, we are living. You get the idea.
Conflict at home will invariably spill into the workplace (or vice versa), since there is no real distinction or separation between work life and the rest of life.
The research confirmed that; nothing surprising there.
But the part that was super interesting – and I think rather unexpected – was the fact that employees who were in a bad mood because of personal issues were more likely to help colleagues at work. Interesting. It was surprising to note that the data revealed they felt better when they helped colleagues deal with personal problems.
Amazing!
This is such a fantastic reminder to us of the tremendous opportunities that arise when we aim to serve and help others, without expectations. Good things happen when we do that.
As we wrap up the year, can you help a colleague, without being asked? What can you do to make their day brighter? Don’t be shy to do it; the results may surprise you.
Quotation that I have been pondering
As humans, we evolved to avoid danger. That kept us alive. The problem with this is, in today’s modern environment, we are rarely truly in actual danger. But that does not stop our brains from trying hard to keep us safe. It does that by avoiding things that are unknown.
When we encounter the unknown, it triggers a stress response and our natural tendency is to move back into our comfort zone. After all, that is where it is “safe”.
But in reality, our environment is constantly changing and transforming. And that means that if we are not adapting and changing as well, we are stagnating and ironically, exposing ourselves to risk.
Which is why I have been thinking about this quote from Josh Linkner.
Where in your life are you playing it too safe?
Journal Prompt
Work feels corrupted and untenable for so many. Considering that we spend enormous amounts of our time and energy working, that has an enormous impact on the quality of our lives.
The good news is that we can change the relationship that we have with our work. It can – and should! – be something that supports the type of life that we want to live. It can be a catalyst for personal growth, a way to add meaning to life, and a vehicle for expressing the type of person who you wish to be in the world.
But for that to happen, you need to be intentional and clear about what you want out of your work.
I believe that this is such an important question to consider.
Have an amazing week!
NOTE: this will be the last newsletter for 2022. I hope that you are able to find some peace and joy over the holiday season.
Wishing you and your family all of the best.
Tim