Are you 'job positive'?

When did you last moan about your job? Yesterday, an hour ago, last week or last month? It’s a commonly held belief that a positive attitude to our working life reaps benefits for employee and employer alike. However, we all know that, on a day-to-day basis, it isn’t always fun, fun, fun. Realistically, particularly in an environment of health care, life can get stressful. In dentistry, there is an expectation upon a team to juggle patient demands with regulatory expectations and clinical care – and the clock is always ticking.

Stress

Stress manifests itself in a variety of ways and, sometimes, it alters the way we interact with colleagues and peers – we may become negative, unintentionally or otherwise. But it is important to remain mindful of kneejerk reactions and any unreasonable behaviour towards others – and taking time out to switch off during a busy day is essential if a team is to work together in harmony and always in the interests of the patients they treat. Petty arguments and jealous rivalries can escalate if essential team meetings are absent from practice diaries – and, the more regular these are the better. We can all take the sting out of potential flashpoints by taking control of our own behaviours. With a little mindfulness and self appraisal, everyone can play a part in keeping the workplace a pleasant environment. Here are a few other tips to fine-tune and keep the harmony…