Einstein once said "Insanity: is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"

Ever feel like you’re living in a real-life version of "Groundhog Day"? The alarm goes off, you hit snooze, drag yourself out of bed, and before you know it, you’re back in the office, wearing your corporate mask, leaving yourself outside the revolving door and taking your corporate persona trudging through the same old routine until the clock hits 5pm. Day in and day out.

If you’re nodding your head, you’re not alone. Probably most corporate professionals feel stuck, lost, and drained from the constant grind, hoping, wishing and waiting for a better day. But here's a little secret: it doesn't have to be this way! And no, this post is not advice on how to leave your corporate job and follow your passion.

But it is about how we can stop following the common corporate and mechanical behaviours that we have become accustomed to. If we are waiting for the organisation the executive leadership team or our boss to permit us to work and live with more ease and more compassion, we may be waiting for a whole lot longer. So here is the little secret:

Compassion in the workplace starts with You.

It's easy to think that we need to fit into a certain mold to be accepted at work. We put on our professional personas, hiding our true selves behind a mask of corporate jargon and fake smiles. But what if I told you that you don’t need anyone’s approval to take care of yourself? You don’t need permission to prioritize yourself or your well-being. In fact, embracing compassion for yourself is the first step towards a more fulfilling work life, more creativity, productivity and joy.

So, how do you start showing yourself some love and simplify your life? Here are five tips that you can incorporate starting right now:

1. Don't wait for the weekend to come around - Take Micro-Breaks

Sounds simple, right? But how often do you find yourself glued to your desk for hours on end? Make it a habit to take short, regular breaks throughout your day. Stand up, stretch, grab a cup of coffee, or take a walk. These micro-breaks rejuvenate your mind and body, making you more clear-headed and therefore driving your creativity and productivity and you feel less stressed.

2. Create space for yourself

Giving yourself some space, not only in the physical sense but mentally and learning to say "yes" to yourself more rather than building barriers by saying "no". Setting boundaries is all good but it creates exclusion and I know for a fact that our negative voice will have a field day when we try to say "no". The bliss we are looking for is jeopardized by our negative voice going on and on about who and why someone else wanted us to do something that we didn't.

When your plate is full it’s okay to say so and turn down additional tasks in a kind way implying that you currently have no capacity or space to take on anything additional until whatever it is you are currently working on is completed.

3. Be intentional with your well-being and well-thinking

Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine can work wonders for your mental health. Take a few minutes each day to meditate, focus on your breathing, or simply sit in silence, even if that feels awkward at first because you are so used needing to do something all the time. Mindfulness helps you stay present, reduces stress, and improves your overall well-being.

However, the most impactful way to practice self-compassion is to evaluate what your negative voice (script) is telling you and whether that is helpful (usually, the negative voice is not helpful!)

Choosing the opposite of what it implies will ease off any pressure. Instead of buying into the “need to do something” or “have to do something” or the usual blame, complain or comparison, try to flip your language and change it to “allowing”, “wanting”, and “accepting”. Start your self-talk with “I am giving myself space and time…”

Practice mental flexibility instead of sticking to the usual corporate mechanical and rigid thinking.

4. Celebrate Small Wins and make your work day more fun

We often wait for big accomplishments to celebrate, but recognizing small victories can boost your morale and keep you motivated. Did you finish a report ahead of schedule? Great! Managed to avoid the afternoon slump because you gave yourself the time and space to recharge? Fantastic! Acknowledging these moments helps build a positive outlook.

And can you make the work day more fun by starting the day with your favourite playlist? By lighting a candle and having your desk settings arranged so it brings you joy instead of being just functional?

5. Make better connections

Make an effort to be kind to yourself first which allows you to build genuine relationships with your colleagues. When you let go of the need to be seen as perfect or being in control but you allow yourself and others to see your human side sharing how you make yourself a priority, you will not only go ahead as an example and give others permission to follow suit but you will foster genuine connections.

Instead of just talking about work, ask them about their hobbies, their weekend plans, and what it means for them to practice self-compassion. Showing interest in others fosters a compassionate and supportive work environment, making the workplace a more enjoyable and inclusive place for everyone.

Remember, you don’t need anyone’s approval to make yourself a priority. The journey to a more compassionate workplace begins with you taking care of yourself. When you show yourself kindness and understanding, it sets a powerful example for others and contributes to a more empathetic and connected work environment.

So, go ahead. Take those breaks, and celebrate your wins. And most importantly, be kind to yourself. Because compassion in the workplace starts with you and doesn’t require line manager approval.