How Not to Ruin Your Life in the Workplace

I’ve been working for over two years as a firefighter, dealing with dangerous situations like firefighting and rescue people. For the past 12 years, I’ve been in the public finance sector. It’s been a long and challenging journey of 15 years.

I’ve worked diligently, perhaps even sacrificing my youth for my job. However, the returns were devastating. I was exploited by unscrupulous superiors, receiving neither fair evaluation nor reward. Instead, I endured workplace harassment, leading to mental and physical health issues.

While there’s a lot of talk about how to succeed in the workplace. Instead, I want to share what learned how harmful thoughts and behaviors in a failed work life can ruin one’s life.

Let me share my experience in the public finance sector.

I value community highly and have a strong need for recognition. I’ve always emphasized teamwork, often not getting along with those who harm it. Like many Asian companies, my organization lacks a rational system for performance and rewards. Favoritism by superiors is crucial. In the public sector, where long-term employment is possible, incompetent and immoral people often stay on. I also didn’t get along with superiors who shirked their responsibilities.

I worked six days a week without financial compensation for extra work, carrying responsibilities solely based on my sense of duty. I was burdened with work without recognition of my abilities, and I foolishly accepted it all as dedication and responsibility. Looking back, I realize how naive I was.

The most painful part was consistently receiving the lowest evaluations despite my capabilities. I was a convenient target for exploitation.

After suffering personal and professional insults, I failed to express myself properly, which eventually led to health issues. This cycle repeated in my workplace.

Through constant counseling and reading, I’ve realized that this long-standing pattern needs to change, and I’m working on it.

For those as earnest yet naive as I was, here are some tips:

1. Understand Yourself and Set Boundaries:
   • Knowing who you are is vital in life and work.
   • What do you seek? Success, financial reward, recognition, or communal contribution?
   • Do you value logic and facts, or emotions and relationships?
   • Are you political and capable of deceit, or do you detest such traits?
   • What are your limits? Are you expressing your dislikes?
2. Dedicate to Life, Not Just Work:
   • In a rational organization, your efforts and achievements should be rewarded.
   • If not, especially in the public sector, don’t dedicate yourself to the job.
   • Dedicate yourself to a better life, think intensely about how to achieve it.
   • Employment isn’t permanent; focus more on the unpredictable journey of life.
3. Don’t Be Exploited by Colleagues or Superiors; You’re the VVIP:
   • Diligent employees are easy targets in the workplace.
   • Superiors might take credit for your work; colleagues and subordinates may shift their duties onto you.
   • Make decisions with yourself as the priority. You’re the most important person.
4. Don’t Cling; Be Ready to Leave:
   • If you don’t fit in the organization, it’s a waste of your life.
   • Logical and factual people are often minorities and unwelcome in emotional and political environments.
   • Prioritize life over work and prepare options to leave. This reduces the workplace’s impact on you.

A workplace that causes physical and mental harm isn’t worth staying in. I wish everyone health and happiness.