The thought that business is strictly business and not personal is an interesting one. We are such emotional beings whether man or woman that to remain business only and all the time is a stretch at best. Some people handle the personal, what I will call the emotional side of the coin better than others.
Remember the movie Jerry McGuire (from 1996) and the moment Jerry walks off the job? I suppose some people may view the Jerry McGuire moment as an opportunity to get on your office soapbox.
You have the attention of your co-workers (and management) and can tell them really what you think. In addition, you offer a lucky person to feel as liberated by walking out with you, goldfish in hand. You can relive the Jerry McGuire moment on YouTube.
What will that get you? A moment of gratification, perhaps. Surely it will buy you a ticket to the unemployment line which is a long one these days.
Believe me… I have been on the brink of a Jerry McGuire moment during my career. Moments with tears, anguish and stress. I even had a manager pull me into a broom closet to reprimand me for not answering the phone correctly in the beginning. Hence, the tears! And, that moment felt very personal.
I’ve seen people fight, scream and yell over the years. Gratefully, I can assure you my current company is not like this. Past companies were though and it taught so much about people, the workplace and the line I will never cross with others.
I learned how to avoid a Jerry McGuire moment and plan a departure on better terms, my terms.
5 Ways to Avoid Your Jerry McGuire Moment
1) Practice the 92 Second Rule
Ready for an emotional outburst? Count for 92 seconds. Literally”¦ 1, 2, 3 and all the way to 92! By the time you are done, you will be more annoyed that you just counted to 92 and will probably not want to say what you were about to say.
This rule was named after a co-worker of mine who had no filter. It gave her a moment to think before blurting out what was on her mind and what would most likely get her written up!
2) Squash the Victim Attitude
Straight and to the point, we all play a role in office politics and the cultural environment. In many scenarios, it’s not everyone else’s fault. Take an honest inventory of you!
3) Avoid the Course That Will Fly Your Plane Into the Mountain
Plan a course of action on your terms. If you don’t like or enjoy your current situation, pull out a piece of paper, grab your hubby or partner and plan a course that makes sense for you and your family. Break it down into small steps that you can celebrate along the way, each accomplishment at a time.
4) Get Out and Decompress
Remove yourself from the bad energy around you! Take a break or go for a walk when you feel the negative angst taking over. Leave the building often. It helps.
5) Turn the Emotion Into Positive Power
Sometimes the writing is on the wall when it is time to move on… the next chapter in your book of life doesn’t always happen immediately (i.e. finding a new job or starting a business). If it’s time to move on, practice the positive!
Work on your next goals each day and take advantage of the things that make you happy outside of the office . Every step can be a source of encouragement and drive you to the next fabulous thing that is in store for you.
So the Jerry McGuire route may not be in your best interest and it was a movie after all. Our energy is precious. It’s much more gratifying to focus it to the positive and chart your next action on your own terms.
Your co-workers and goldfish will thank you!
Source: Cast and Credits for Jerry McGuire
Stephanie Lema 