Dear Odella:

I think that I understand some of your challenges an will give you my input on that:

The coworker who doesn’t follow SOP and who makes many mistakes: maybe she is … not capable of following instructions well and process details. People who suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), one manifestation of anxiety, are less than capable processing many details and do frequently make mistakes. In that case, there is nothing you can do.

If she is capable but chooses not to put the effort, and the boss did not and will not let her suffer the consequences of this lack of effort, then there is nothing to motivate her to put the effort. In that case, there is nothing you can do.

In your share, there is quite a lot that you cannot do anything about.

For our mental health to be okay, we need to have some control, some power, an ability to change something in our lives. When we have no power we suffer.

If I was you, I would make a list of what I have no power over, and what I do have power over. It is not a Buddhist prayer which states: “..grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference”-

Simply put, but difficult to practice: accept those things you cannot change (ex., the co worker’s lackluster work performance) and change the things you can (get another job, for one).

anita

Dear Odella:

You are welcome. I hope you focus then on what you can change, of where you have some power and navigate your way. It is a good practice, by the way, to make small changes, not only big changes, for your benefit. Every bit of such practice helps.

anita