Being focused at work

[muchovino]

I work for a small company, there are plus points (including good earning potential), however a lot of not so great bits, as there are with many companies. Without sounding defeatist, I have come to the conclusion that, despite my best efforts, I cannot change things. Although I am pretty self-motivated, I need to mega-focus on my work, be helpful but also selfish and ignore stuff that I cannot do anything about. This being said, a lot of things wind me up constantly, how do you all cope with shutting out all the crap at work? TIA

Noise cancelling headphones

good idea Beingsunny, not having to listen to any of them would be good!

I use ear plugs at work.

Drowns out the tapping, whistling, eating.

What do you do?

Give us some examples of what's winding you up. We might be able to offer some solutions!

I work in sales so stressful environment, small co, weak management team, MD with own ideas etc, staff turnover, small things not dealt with which then escalate within the team yada yada! Without sounding defeatist, I have tried to put forward my suggestions / ideas across over time and challenge things (without being a trouble maker), but nothing will ever change, so I now feel I need to be a bit vanilla - still be a team player but be super focused on my figures, bascially be selfish and get on with but ignore all the BS - how can I do it?!

What are the small things that aren't dealt with?

Are you in the right job? Most successful sales people I know don't give a toss about anyone except themselves and their commission!!!

Sales AND a team player? Does this person even exist?

The toxic unhealthy work environment you describe concerns me, that you would have to physically put a barrier between your and other people on the team.

Earbuds may be a short term fix but are you also considering your longer term options, these things rarely improve.

Do you have any supportive colleagues who have similar problems or are you alone in all this?

Thank you for your comments everyone, it's all very well people saying sales people should be selfish etc etc but working in a small company, you have to get on with as many people as you can. I am considering my options, however changing jobs not as easy as all that, as we all know! Other colleague feels the same but management are fixed on the way they do things. Maybe I haven't explained this properly, all I was after was a few tips on letting it all go over your head when at work...

Well, if it's too noisy then you need to invest in some headphones.

What do you want to let go over your head? You haven't been clear what the problem is.

If it isn't too revealing, what sorts of problems are you and others encountering that you need to 'let go over your head'. Difficult to advise...maybe a bit of mindfulness/yoga?

If it's that bad, I'd suggest writing things down in a notebook to see if a pattern is forming over time.