Quiet thriving: What is it (and how do you do it)?

Many of us are longing for a more optimistic outlook on our careers, so we're saying ‘goodbye’ to quiet quitting and ‘hello’ to quiet thriving

Last year, we saw the term ‘quiet quitting’ floating around. This is the idea of doing the bare minimum and only engaging in your core responsibilities – no staying late or early starts. This quickly moved beyond the workplace to people’s day-to-day lives, including marriages and relationships.

While some people see the benefits to quiet quitting – having a better work/life balance, being in control, and less likely to burn out, to name a few – for many, rejecting the hustle culture mentality can actually have a negative impact on our mood. We can quickly become demotivated and experience a lack of enthusiasm toward our work or relationships.

What’s more, last year saw the period dubbed the ‘great resignation’, but what about those who can’t afford to quit? Whilst silently ‘getting by’ at work may seem like a good way to set boundaries and protect our mental health, in the long run, it can be damaging. So, how do we go about achieving an optimistic mentality at work, whilst still avoiding burnout? The answer: quiet thriving.

‘Quiet thriving’ is the new buzzword in town. It’s quiet quitting’s antithesis. This is the idea of actively changing the structure of your workday so that you begin to feel more engaged. Perhaps you’re stuck in a work rut – lacking the inspiration or creativity you need to be inquisitive and excited about your job. Quiet thriving is about reigniting this spark, without compromising your wellbeing.

If this sounds like something you need in your life right now, we’re sharing some tips to help get you off on the right foot.

Change your mindset

If you can make a conscious effort to try and reframe your negative thoughts and replace them with positives, you’re halfway there. We likely all have elements of our jobs that we dislike, and it can be easy to focus on these at the start of the workday. Instead, try to draw your attention to the aspects of your role that you enjoy - whether that’s being creative, writing, or meeting with your colleagues to come up with new ideas. By doing this, your work will start to feel more meaningful.

Set boundaries

Having a clear start and finish time and making sure you take regular breaks throughout the day will help keep you on track. During your working day, you can dedicate that time solely to that – work – but be strict about keeping this between the hours that you set (no checking emails late at night). This will not only allow you more time to spend with family and participate in your hobbies but will help keep burnout at bay.

Praise your achievements

Take note of the little wins as well as the big accomplishments. This will help boost your confidence at work. Writing a list is a great way to keep track of your successes so, if you’re ever feeling stuck, you have something to refer back to when you need a pick-me-up and a reminder of your capabilities.

Shape your role around you

Of course, there are limitations to this - there will always be certain tasks you’ll have to complete as part of your job, but it is possible to shape your work around your interests and play to your strengths. Turn it into a role that suits both you and your employer and take the time to find opportunities that you can act on. Not only can this make your work more fulfilling but you’ll likely feel more valued by your employer for having expertise that you can bring to the table.

If you’d like to learn more about setting boundaries at work or how to find your motivation, you could benefit from working with a Life Coach. You can find a professional best suited to you and what you'd to achieve on Life Coach Directory.