“Hello ma, I just want to rant… I am not happy with my job.
It feels like this job is meant to frustrate me.”
The staff I’m meant to lead won’t listen to me or respond to anything I say.
My boss doesn’t tell me anything directly; instead, I hear updates from the lady who’s been working with her longer than I have. And I’m supposed to be her second-in-command.
There’s no structure here, and I’m getting so stressed.
Please ma, how can I maintain my sanity while looking for another job?”
This was a voice note from my mentee, just three months into her new job.
She poured her heart out, and I smiled as I listened.
I knew we needed to speak.
When we did, the crux of our conversation was hinged on three simple things:
- You’re in the workplace to solve problems. No problems, no growth. No relevance.
- You are called to serve in every season, place, or role.
- Always seek the greatest good of everyone you encounter in love.
A month later, her tone had changed.
She had shifted her focus back to solving problems, the same problems that had caused her boss to fire the previous team.
And slowly, things began to change. Her boss started to lean on her. Her team started to respond. She began to feel seen, trusted, and valued.
I’m writing this today to remind you that the workplace or marketplace, as I like to call it, is a ‘hostile environment’. Whether you’re in a corporate workplace or a business, you’re in a demanding space.
Years ago, Bishop T.D. Jake wrote about the “Ten Laws of Working in a Hostile Environment”, and trust me, those principles are still applicable today.
So, if you are in the workplace or business space, please live by these truths:
- Solve problems
- Serve
- Seek the greater good of all in love
The reward is peace, fulfilment, and relevance. The money eventually follows.
Look at the stories of Joseph, Daniel, David … even Jesus.
Life is governed by principles. God set them from the foundation of time.
So, understand the season you’re in, apply the right wisdom, and guard your peace, because your mental health is important and must be prioritised.
A fortnight ago, we celebrated Mental Health Awareness Week at my workplace. It felt good to share a meal with my team and talk about the real stuff happening in our lives.
As a Nigerian, I can’t recall ever seeing Mental Health Week celebrated in the organisations I worked with. But working across cultures, I’m learning that to truly value people, we must prioritise their wellbeing.
So, while we did the outward celebration, I turned inward and used a simple checklist to assess myself. You can borrow it:
- Am I living intentionally, actually living?
- Am I present in the moment?
- Am I at peace with who I am and where I am?
- Am I truly grateful for my journey, season, and phase?
If you could read my journal, you’d know the answers
While musing on these, I stumbled on a line of research that made me pause:
“The number one indicator of a child’s ability to thrive is the psychological well-being of their mother.”
You may already know this.
But it was fresh for me. That week-in, week-out grind… the bone-tired frame, the never-ending to-do list, the constant effort to show up for everyone and everything… it doesn’t just take a toll on me, it impacts my child too.
Simply put:
My happiness impacts my children’s well-being.
So, if you’re like me and need a gentle nudge from a fellow woman walking this same journey, let me lovingly whisper:
“You can’t pour from an empty cup”.
Not for long. And not without consequences.
While we continue to show up, remember that our wholesome presence carries weight- Physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
As Proverbs 17:22 says: “A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
So, take a minute and do your mental check.
Not with guilt. Not with pressure. Just truth and love.
My word for you today is – A well-tended soul raises strong homes.
