Do you think your manager is the only reason for your problems at work?

Perhaps your own emotions are your biggest enemy, as they can harm you more than you imagine. In the workplace, there are feelings you must control immediately so they don’t become obstacles to your professional growth. Do you know what they are? Clinical psychology expert Dr. Bahaa Handawi helps you understand them through the following points:

Fear of Failure: Are You Sacrificing Opportunities Because of Anxiety?

Fear of failure can seriously hinder your career progress. When this feeling seeps into your mind, you start avoiding risks and new challenges out of fear of failing. This mindset may cause you to miss valuable opportunities that could open new horizons for you. Moreover, failure is just a step on the path to success. But if you let this fear affect your decisions, you might find yourself stuck in your comfort zone without advancing toward your goals.

How to deal with it?

Take a bold step. Instead of running away from opportunities, try facing them one step at a time. Start taking on harder tasks or new initiatives, and be prepared to fail because failure helps you learn and grow. Trust that every experience, regardless of the outcome, adds valuable expertise that contributes to your professional development.

Emotional Impulsiveness: Are Your Feelings Affecting Your Career Decisions?

Emotional impulsiveness at work can be disastrous. When you act based on momentary feelings like anger or excessive excitement, you may make decisions you later regret. This can impact your ability to make rational, logical decisions, potentially causing tension with colleagues or affecting project outcomes. If you don’t control your emotions, these impulsive reactions can become obstacles to your progress.

How to deal with it?

Take a deep breath. Try to keep your emotions in check, especially in situations that provoke strong emotional reactions. When you feel angry or frustrated, pause for a moment and rethink the situation before responding. Don’t rush to make decisions or express your feelings in those moments. Aim to be calm and professional, as a composed demeanor reflects your discipline and emotional intelligence.

Envy of Success: Do You Feel Your Colleagues Are Stealing the Spotlight?

Jealousy at work can be extremely destructive, leading to negative thinking and unhealthy interactions with coworkers. When you see a colleague succeeding, you might start comparing yourself to them and feel you’re not getting the same opportunities or recognition. This feeling can isolate you from others and make you feel powerless, which affects your ability to collaborate with the team. Envy makes you focus on what others are doing instead of improving your own performance.

How to deal with it?

Use it as motivation. Instead of feeling jealous, try to turn those feelings into a drive to achieve more. Consider others’ success as inspiration to improve your skills and broaden your knowledge. Rely on teamwork and celebrate the team’s achievements, as this will increase your ability to build strong, productive relationships with your colleagues.

Frustration with Work: Do You Feel Stuck in a Boring Routine?

Frustration at work can be destructive if it accumulates. When you feel stuck in the same daily routine, you’ll lose motivation and passion for what you do. This feeling can lead to declining performance, affecting how managers and colleagues view you professionally. Routine may seem safe and comfortable, but it actually kills creativity and ambition, preventing you from seizing new opportunities.

How to deal with it?

Start by setting new goals. Try to renew yourself at work with new challenges. Don’t be afraid to step out of the usual. Set short- and long-term goals that require you to think differently. You can also ask for new projects or learn new skills through training courses. If you feel bored, it means you need to add variety to your daily tasks.

Sense of Entitlement: Do You Think You Deserve Everything Without Effort?

A sense of entitlement is one of the biggest killers of professional performance and growth. If you believe you deserve rewards and promotions just because you work at the company, you may find yourself stuck without real progress. This feeling can lead you to neglect improving your skills or giving your best at work, thinking success will come to you without effort. The problem is this puts you in an unfair position compared to colleagues who work hard to achieve their goals.

How to deal with it?

Stay humble and keep working hard. Understand that success at work comes as a result of continuous effort and perseverance. Work on developing yourself and achieving tangible results instead of waiting for rewards without earning them. Consider every small step as part of a long journey toward success, and don’t let entitlement blind you to the importance of hard, ongoing work.