My Mindsight Exercise 12
Looking for a new job trigger thoughts like . . .
- I don’t want to keep working so hard for so little.
- I don’t feel qualified.
- Am I in the correct field?
- I don’t want to work for anyone else, but I don’t know any other way.
Self-doubt
Discussions about buying a new home or moving triggers thoughts like . . .
- I can’t afford the things my wife wants.
- I wish I had the money or know-how to earn it.
- How hard would I have to work to achieve this? I don’t want to further enslave myself to grueling work hours or debt.
Inadequacy
Working extra hours, work interrupting personal time, on-call schedules, working on little sleep triggers thoughts like . . .
Nobody appreciates the work I do. And nobody cares how hard I work. And if the employer notices how hard I work, then they claim that’s only a sign that I’m inefficient.
I hate being stuck here. But I need this job to pay my bills.
I can’t summon the energy to do what I need to leave this place. I’m so burnt out.
Defeat, trapped, victimized, neglected, and abused
When my employer insinuates our work levels are inadequate, this triggers thoughts like . . .
How can they not see how hard we work?!
This is an unfair work arrangement
Insulted, angry, and unappreciated
Trying to figure out what to do next with my life triggers thoughts like . . .
- I don’t know what to do next.
- What if I make a huge mistake like causing financial ruin?
- What if I waste more time pursuing something I’ll end up hating or regretting?
Fear
Preparing to do my upper body workouts triggers thoughts like . . .
I miss my mom. (This is the activity I was doing when I got the news that she died.)
I should have called her before starting my workout. Maybe I could have talked to her one last time.
Sadness, grief, guilt, and regret