Mind Over Matter – Elevating Your Mind Above Negative Work Environments

One of the definitions of “Mind over matter” is the use of willpower to overcome physical problems.

I believe that can apply to mental problems as well.

In my article “Hating Mondays can make you ill”, I wrote about the effect that job dissatisfaction can have on your mental health. Sometimes you love what you do but what is making you hate Mondays is working in a toxic environment.

When the work is not the issue, but the environment is toxic and you’re in the unenviable position of not being able to change your job, then I want to encourage you to use your mind to elevate yourself above the circumstances.

No matter how bad your work environment is, I don’t think it can compare to a concentration camp! Yet even in a concentration camp in Auschwitz, renowned Viennese Psychologist, Viktor Frankl, was able to use his mind to elevate himself above the horrific circumstances of his life.

In his book Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl, who survived the concentration camp, recounts a personal experience when he limped to his work, almost in tears from pain as he had terrible sores on his feet from wearing torn shoes. All he could think about was his suffering and his miserable existence until he became disgusted with his thoughts (his mind) and forced his thoughts to picture himself in a warm lecture room speaking to an attentive audience on the psychology of the concentration camp.

He said:

“By this method, I succeeded somehow in rising above the situation, above the sufferings of the moment, and I observed them as if they were already of the past.”

Great encouragement from the survivor of a concentration camp!

Rise above your current situation by elevating your mind.

Create a vision board of where you see yourself in the future, doing what you love and excelling at it. Keep it where you can see it and watch how it transforms your mind.