Habits That Are Helping Women Thrive in High-Pressure Careers
Since the end of the Second World War, the shape of the British workforce has changed almost beyond recognition. Women have not only entered the workplace – they’re increasingly thriving within it and succeeding in elite positions that were once occupied invariably by men.
That isn’t to say that women don’t face many obstacles and barriers. The difference is that the source of these obstacles has shifted. Now, it’s overwork, blurred boundaries, and the relentless drip-drip distraction of our notification-fuelled attention economy that are most likely to prevent the average woman from doing all that she might with her career.
So, what can be done about all of this? This answer might lie in the habits and behaviours that we build over time. Let’s take a look at the habits that can support success.
Habit: Grounding Through Simple, Tactile Tasks
The quickest way to break out of a stress-inducing mental loop is often to do something tactile. If you’re constantly thinking about abstract concepts, like quarterly reports and productivity reviews, then you might find it difficult to take a step back. A short tactile ritual can provide a valuable way for you to ‘touch grass’.
In some cases, this might be quite literally what you end up doing: tending to a houseplant or spending a few minutes in the garden can be hugely therapeutic, especially if you’re going to be doing it every single day. When you’re tending to the compost in your outdoor space, you’ll also be composting the mental junk that’s cluttering your thinking space.
Habit: Building Boundaries That Protect Cognitive Energy
When every spare moment of your day is up for grabs, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll end up feeling depleted. A small ritual at the start and end of a working day can help to reinforce the boundaries between your downtime and your work. This might, in turn, allow you to devote more energy, guilt-free, to the latter. You might do a little bit of journaling, visit the gym, or play a musical instrument. Try to keep your screen-off time consistent. You might even set an alarm to remind you to do it.
Habit: Reinforcing Confidence Through Micro‑Routines
The more consistent you are, the more likely you are to build self-confidence. Try to track your progress, and occasionally lift your head up to take stock of what you’re doing and how you might be doing it better. If you’re experiencing small wins, then be sure to pay attention to them and reward yourself. In the long run, this will help you perform better and avoid emotionally unbalancing patterns of thought, such as catastrophising.
Conclusion
You don’t need to completely overhaul your approach to working life. In many cases, it’s the small tweaks that make the biggest difference. Note also that what works for you might not be appropriate for everyone. You’re looking to build a sustainable working life, which might mean occasionally reversing course and experimenting with new ways of thinking about and approaching the unique challenges you face.