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How not to become a corporate slave

If you often find yourself trapped in a monotonous routine, where you're stuck in a compulsive rut and there's no escaping it? You wake up at the same time every day, eat the same breakfast, take the same metro to work, spend the same number of hours in office, do the same kind of work, and return home to watch the same television shows. Well, actor Ranbir Kapoor went through a similar torment in the Bollywood movie Tamasha and was reduced to nothing but a 'corporate slave'.

According to experts, it isn't just plain boring, but rather dangerous to have such a lifestyle. Nowadays, people have started to measure their self-esteem on the basis of their social status and buying ability and for maintaining this, a bigger pay cheque at the end of the month is necessary. This vicious circle forces them not to deviate from the corporate enslaving and they end up paying a much bigger price. According to Dr Deepak Raheja, Senior Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, Director of Foundation Hope, "Employees are bound by the pressure to perform and deliver with the threat of not only losing their position but also having to deal with the associated stigma and status diminution. This has a detrimental impact on the individual holistically resulting in a physical, emotional and psychological burnout."

The boss is NOT always right!
The first and the foremost thing to be able to come out of the trap, is not to follow the conventional rule of 'Boss is always right'. According to Delhi-based life coach Ramon Lamba, "Pleasing the boss is more of an egoistic function and is very inauthentic. It leaves one stuck in a space, that as long as they are pleasing the boss, things work in their favour and the minute they decide to stop doing it, things start working against them. In my point of view, it's about assertively communicating at every level, if there is a difference in opinion, express it." Moreover, in this new time and dimension of expansive change, bosses respect those employees who have an opinion of their own and do not just blindly follow them.

Dr Raheja adds, "Being a people pleaser is not always helpful or necessary. In your quest to please your boss, you try to be perfect and set standards for yourself that may be unrealistically high and impossible to meet."

Set realistic standards
One should have a good understanding of his strengths and limitations. Expecting too much out of yourself or belittling yourself when you don't meet a set target only adds up to the frustration.

Believe in yourself
Ramon Lamba says, "An important step to not become a corporate slave is to understand, honour, and believe in yourself." While it is important to set realistic goals, having a strong self-esteem helps in coping with stress and enhances your ability to perform better at work.

Maintaining balance
It is important to note that functionality comes with maintaining a balance in all spheres of life and an inclination towards any one sphere will by default result in havoc and chaos in one's life. Dr Raheja opines, "This chaos may then become evident in engaging in self destructive behaviours such as substance abuse, gambling, excessive shopping and other lifestyle disorders. In short, happiness will not be at the core of your being and just going through the day will become a task."

Contentment
According to Dr Raheja, one significant variable that plays a crucial role is the spiritual component of 'contentment'. If one is able to break free from the rat race of climbing up the social ladder, they can stop and take time out to think and introspect about their actual purpose and calling in life. Value is attached to making money but not at the cost of losing yourself in the process.

Break the monotony
As per Ramon Lamba, people have forgotten that they are human beings before anything else. They exist in an organization, which comprises of 'real' people who have emotions. Nowadays, people have started functioning from a robotic mindset, and expect everyone in their environment to function in the same manner. Thus, it is imperative to devote time to real thinking and break yourself from this monotony.

Quick tips:
1. Make it a rule to not bring work home and switch off your phone on weekends.

2. According to a research, switching off email notifications on your phone helps in reducing stress. So, free yourself from the high levels of 'email pressure'.

3. Indulge in a hobby. You should take out at least one hour everyday doing something you love.

4. You should plan your office meals way ahead in time and limit your caffeine intake to reduce stress.

5. Take that impending vacation you've been planning since long.

6. Connect with your old friends.

7. Get on Google Maps and change your way to work. Discover a new route and you'll get instant happiness.

8. Lastly, be assertive with people and put forward your viewpoint without any fear.

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