Written by Monique Jordan-Cave

Leadership and Holistic Coach

Hello, magical human,

I hope you’re ready because today we’re exposing the

3 Things You Shouldn’t Feel Guilty For at Work!

Guilt is an emotion and 100% normal.

It’s not even a bad emotion.

It just means you have morals and actually care about the consequences to your actions.

Yay, you’re a human being!!! Whoop whoop!

BUT, when you’re feeling guilty at work and it starts to have a direct impact on your productivity and the vision you have for your career progression.

I’m not having that!

Here are 3 things you shouldn’t feel guilty for at work!

1. Being Successful

So if you’re the beauty that really wants to go for that promotion but, the colleague, that you really like, is also in the running.

Know this, there is enough room for everyone to shine.

You may even have been brave enough to have left a company because you didn’t get the career development you wanted.

No matter where you are successful, you should never feel guilty about your achievements or having the courage to break away from your current environment in order for you to thrive.

Don’t give people the satisfaction of getting to you. It might make others jealous or even have the nerve to try and make you feel bad for it.

You should never hide your star to make other people feel better or more comfortable around you.

Your desires and accomplishments deserve to be celebrated.

You took the time to create your career advancement strategy.

You took the action to make your career dream real.

What they are really doing is struggling in silence and not asking for help!

You’ve worked bloody hard to get to where you are and you should be proud of it.

2. Not Being Perfect

Boss: Have we had a response from Peter?

Your brain: Oh shit, I didn’t send that email. It was meant to go 2 days ago!

👉 The email is still in your drafts folder. Fear and panic begin to set in.

You: Of course, I did! (with your best “don’t be silly” voice). “I sent it 2 days ago, I don’t know why he hasn’t responded yet”.

Boss: Okay, I’ll send him a chaser.

Your brain: Nooooooooooooooooooooo!

👉 Your soul is now in your arse.

You: Don’t worry, you’re about to go into your team strategy meeting, I’ll do it. Would you like a cup of tea?

👉 Full system failure!

You see!

Too much hard work, too much anxiety, too much guilt and it will only destroy trust.

So the next time you accidentally send your boss to the wrong airport terminal (yes, I have done this) or unfortunately forget to send an email.

Instead of beating yourself up:

• Accept it, then forgive yourself: Shit happens;

• Own it: Take responsibility and apologise (if necessary);

• Fix it: Make it better, before it gets worse!

*Pro Tip: Depending on the situation. If you can rectify it before owning it, even better!

3. Not Caring

Now this one may seem a bit controversial but, I have definitely felt like this at some work places.

Whilst you respect Simone in Finance, you really don’t give a sh*? about what she and Brenda from HR are at war about.

Navigating work relationships can feel like a slippery slope but, you don’t have to get involved.

I’m not saying that you didn’t find it a little humorous at first (hey, we all need entertaining and a bit of distraction at work).

But, if you are giving that energy away, you are taking it from somewhere it could be better used.

For example, creating your career advancement strategy!

If you are not invested in the corridor wars, the next time you see Simone making a bee line for your direction, have this in your career tool kit:

“Hey Simone, to be honest, why don’t you speak to Brenda about how you feel about what happened. I think she will appreciate your honesty”.

Tada!

Let others take responsibility for handling their own situations.

Now you have the energy to get on with your job!

What do you feel guilty for at work?

Let me know in the comments below.

Over to you!

Please feel free to share this article with a loved one, friend or colleague.

MJx