A lot has been spoken about millennials going through FOMO, leading to anxieties about fear of missing out. While extroverts could associate well with the former term, JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) became the new FOMO for introverts. The concept of reading novels on flights today has been replaced by watching movies and clicking selfies to update the world about travel destinations by millennials to showcase their social life. How do we define FOMO and JOMO at workplaces? Is it still trending? Do people who experience JOMO hold a better work life balance?
According to a LinkedIn report, one of the challenges experienced by employees today is FOBO (Fear of better options). A survey indicated that 69% of employees admit that they have better job options beyond their current roles and responsibilities and one of the biggest regrets is the inability to grab their dream job. While it’s healthy to think of better job options existing in the market in order to avoid stagnancy in the professional career, a key evaluation of the new workplace is mandatory in order to avoid instances of quitting the newly joined workforce within the first quarter.
Causes of FOBO:
Having spent the longest period of time at a workplace leads to the feeling of fear of better options. Unsatisfactory appraisals and lack of motivation at work is one of the key factors leading to this. Being unable to maintain a work life balance and salary negotiations also leads to the state of FOBO.
How to deal with FOBO:
Undergoing the thoughts of FOBO everyday can lead to procrastination, subsequently leading to poor productivity at work. Let’s have a look at the top four ways to deal with FOBO:
1. Outlining the bigger picture:
What’s the ultimate potential you hold in your current job? Understanding the scope of utilizing your strength and improving on your weaknesses will help eradicate the thoughts of everyday opportunities. Defining the scope and professional purpose will help interpret the impact in the long term.
2. Penning down Self Achievements:
Listing down a list of positive achievements and happy moments witnessed in a day can help reach a good level of satisfaction at work.
3. Learning to Say No:
Do you often find it challenging to decline or sweetly say no to your manager or colleague? While going beyond your work responsibilities helps get in to your managers good books, it will reduce the time spent on learning new things at work. It’s good to be great at work, unless you don’t end up doing everything. Because the reward of doing great work is more work.
4. Utilising the current role for better:
Always make it a point to build relationships with people and network to learn and take advantage of resources available. Any form of learning is great and never goes wasted.
To sum it up, analyse the situation by asking yourself. Is it important? Is it immediate? Does it help me by constantly bombarding myself with thoughts? Am I getting overly attached to the FEAR OF BETTER OPTIONS? #PersonalExperience
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