In today's world, workers face various challenges that threaten their wellbeing and success in life. One such challenge is external moral judgments from others, which can negatively impact their work performance and mental health. To overcome this challenge, workers need to develop internal resilience. Internal resilience refers to an individual's ability to bounce back after experiencing adverse events or situations, maintain emotional stability, and continue functioning effectively despite stressors. This involves cultivating personal strengths and abilities that allow one to handle difficult circumstances positively.
Developing internal resilience requires effort and consciousness. Workers must intentionally invest time and energy into building these capacities.
The most common way to build internal resilience is through training. Training is a deliberate attempt to acquire new knowledge, skills, or behaviors. There are different types of training programs that help individuals improve their resilience levels.
Mindfulness training teaches people how to stay present in the moment, observe their thoughts without judgment, and focus on positive aspects of themselves and their environment. Similarly, cognitive-behavioral therapy helps individuals change negative thought patterns by identifying unhelpful thinking styles and replacing them with more adaptive ones. Other trainings include positive psychology interventions, life skills education, and leadership development courses.
Apart from training programs, workers also need to practice self-care activities regularly to promote resilience. Self-care activities involve engaging in activities that replenish physical, emotional, and spiritual resources. Some examples of self-care practices include exercise, meditation, journaling, reading inspirational books, spending quality time with loved ones, and getting adequate sleep. These activities help reduce stress and anxiety, which can make it easier for workers to deal with external moral judgments. Workers should prioritize self-care activities daily, even if they only have a few minutes to spare.
Workers can seek support from others to develop internal resilience. Seeking support means seeking advice and guidance from trusted individuals who will listen, validate feelings, and provide suggestions. This could be friends, family members, coworkers, mentors, or coaches. Support groups like Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) provide confidential counseling services that help employees navigate workplace challenges such as external moral judgments. EAPs are beneficial because they offer a safe space where employees can discuss sensitive issues openly without fear of reprisals. Moreover, connecting with others allows workers to share experiences and learn from each other's perspectives.
Developing internal resilience is crucial for workers facing external moral judgments at work. Training programs, self-care practices, and seeking support from others are effective ways to build this capacity. By investing in their personal development, workers can maintain emotional stability, continue performing well despite adversity, and improve their overall wellbeing.
How do workers develop internal resilience against external moral judgment?
Workers can develop internal resilience against external moral judgment by focusing on their individual values and beliefs rather than the opinions of others. This involves cultivating a positive self-image, setting realistic goals, and seeking support from friends, family, and professionals when needed. They may also try practicing self-compassion and mindfulness techniques, engaging in hobbies that bring joy and fulfillment, and finding meaning and purpose in their work.