3 mistakes that employees make to make themselves unhappy

Studies clearly show that today's working conditions are not necessarily beneficial for employees. Some time ago, the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health issued a stress report, which confirms: the demands from job content and organization have stabilized at a high level in many places. Additionally, the subjectively perceived stress has partly increased, as well as complaints. However, it is not solely the external demands and working conditions that lead to the unhappiness of employees. Rather, the affected individuals often contribute a lot to their own unhappiness. Particularly, the following beliefs have a fatal impact on well-being: 1. The firm belief in work-life balance It is astonishing how naturally the term "work-life balance" has become entrenched in our minds! I argue: this term is nonsensical and harmful. Because it suggests that our existence is divided into the realm of life and the realm of work. And since these areas seem incompatible, they must be balanced. This is the underlying belief. However, research shows that work has a greater potential for happiness than leisure time. At work, we automatically have the opportunity for happy experiences every day without our own effort. For example, we can achieve something. This engages the brain intensively and leads to the release of happiness hormones. Evolution has designed it this way. Because the diligent and committed have better chances of survival. Consequently, effort is rewarded with happiness. Work can give us identity, make us proud. It can increase self-confidence and self-esteem, provide us with affirmation and recognition. Thus, it satisfies basic psychological needs. It challenges us and allows us to learn. We evolve through work, gain experiences, learn, and grow. This is also experienced as joyful. However, those who firmly believe in work-life balance will experience exactly what they expect: they will have a dull work life that needs to be balanced by a fulfilling personal life. Simply because that is what they expect. 2. The victim role Many of us tend to feel like victims in the face of unsatisfactory circumstances. This is fatal. Because the victim role makes one passive and generates suffering. One blames others for their own unhappiness and automatically puts themselves in the dependence of the supposed culprits. Then one hopes for rescue or waits for the perpetrator's realization. Victims are inherently vulnerable and helpless. Thus, victims cement their own unhappiness. However, they are usually not aware of this, but feel depressed and angry. Over the course of a long career, this can lead to cynicism and bitterness for some. In fact, it doesn't matter how or by whom the unhappiness arose. Those who are unhappy must take action themselves to rescue themselves. But the victim role prevents exactly that. 3. Daily self-motivation Those who believe in work-life balance and also show a tendency to take on the victim role will inevitably have to motivate themselves for work every day. Self-motivation is a useful skill in principle, but it is by no means a suitable basis for an entire career. Because those who motivate themselves constantly pay a price for it: willpower behaves like a muscle that tires after some time. This means: those who constantly have to motivate themselves for their work consume too much energy for self-overcoming and then have less energy left for work. This severely affects performance. Moreover, the energy is eventually depleted. When this happens, one loses control. Then the inner demon takes over and perhaps there is no energy left for family, friends, or hobbies after work. One often feels drained and exhausted. The Alternative We need a real alternative to all these harmful attitudes and beliefs. It simply means: work with more joy! Because joy ensures a fulfilling work life and provides a lot of energy. Every employee has the opportunity to make more out of their work and thus increase their satisfaction and performance. One just needs to know how to create joyful moments despite unsatisfactory circumstances. And I reveal how this works in detail in my presentations.