The average person spends about 90,000 hours at work over their lifetime. It’s inevitable that you will develop relationships whether good or bad with the people you spend so much time with. A bit of office drama can be expected; however, some of us take the drama to new heights and allow it to consume us. Here are 5 signs you’re taking their drama too seriously.
You take everything personally
If you allow the slightest things to send you in a tailspin, you’re probably taking things way too personal. Did a coworker offer a snippy comeback to a simple question or did your boss walk by without a hello this morning? Don’t be so quick to insert yourself in the nuances of other people’s lives. There’s usually a bigger picture here and people have many other things on their mind that don’t have the slightest thing to do with you. Lighten up –– don’t think so deeply about everything and don’t jump to conclusions.
You think it’s your job to save the world
Taking on other people’s problems and issues can be time-consuming, whether it’s listening to them, recounting their story to others or constantly thinking about how you can help solve their problem. You might be subconsciously using their drama to keep your mind off what you should be doing for yourself. If you’re so involved in other people’s drama that it distracts from your life and work this will eventually create problems for you. It’s definitely okay to support other people –– just not to your own detriment. Lend a listening ear sometimes, but keep in mind it’s not your job to save the world.
You let other people’s energy determine your mood
We are all responsible for the energy we bring into a space. While both positive and negative energy can be contagious, positive energy will add an extra bounce in your step. Toxic energy, on the other hand, will weigh you down and if you are not careful you will absorb it as your own and start to display the same toxic behavior. When you notice this happening, excuse yourself from the person or situation or change the subject. Make it a point to redirect your thoughts to things that are more positive.
You have no boundaries
Setting boundaries can be hard but because we teach other people how to treat us, they are essential. If you are dealing with people that are constantly taking without offering any type of support, or if they don’t bring positive enhancement to your life either personally or professionally, you need to set boundaries. You don’t have to do this in a big, confrontational kind of way. Create some distance in that relationship so you can get a better view of what’s really going and not feel so obligated to jump in.
You don’t know how to rise above
Office gossip can be tempting to participate in and pass along. If you are the designated point person for all the juicy deets or you often start the back and forth chatter, you don’t know how to rise above. Avoid commenting on every little thing that goes on, have your venting sessions outside of the office and keep personal disclosures to a minimum. At the end of the day, you are there to do a job. You’ll be surprised at how much easier it will be without all the extra drama.
