THE SENSITIVE TRAIT - SENSITIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Sensitive people have many amazing skills which can translate to tremendous success in the workplace.
They often have an intuitive sense that can easily become an asset. They also "see" or sense information that their colleagues don't notice, which makes them good at picking up trends and following hunches that can lead to incredible breakthroughs or strategies. They may have hunches about future events, and if they use that information, it can give them a competitive edge. 

STRESSFUL DAYS. With these amazing assets, which can clearly give any business an advantage, why does the workplace often feel like a stressful place for sensitive people?

There are several reasons.

1. Sensitive people feel information more acutely, and may often feel like they are different and don't fit in.
2. Intuitive information may feel too wishy-washy or ungrounded. It often presents itself as a quiet voice deep inside, a gut feeling, which can easily be dismissed and not trusted by sensitive people themselves, and also by their colleagues. For example, a thought like "now is not a good time to do this," or "if we work on this concept now, it will come to the market at the right time" seems difficult to justify. 
3. Colleagues will mostly likely question the intuitive information.  When asked to substantiate concepts, answers like "I have a hunch" or "something is just telling me to roll with this right now" or "I know this is right" - right-brain intuition - doesn't fit well and isn't valued in a left-brained analytical world. 
4. The constant barrage of information by people, events, noise, and technology can deplete sensitive people throughout the day.  Sensitive people need time and space to maintain balance at work. ​

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See Your Genius

​​STRATEGIES.  As sensitive people, we must take charge of our health, and that includes creating workplaces where we can thrive.  

Here are some ideas that can get you started:

1. Take time to listen to that quiet voice deep inside - your gut feelings. Even if it's 1 minute first thing in the morning, 5 minutes for a breathing-break at lunch, or 8 minutes at your 10-minute break, do it regularly. As you listen regularly, this voice will become louder, consistent, and dependable. 
2. Learn ways to share your intuition. It may be with an open-minded colleague at first, but it's important to get started. This shows your intuitive self that you honor and trust it, so the information will continue to flow to you.
3. When you are questioned about your intuitive hits, don't back down. Explain that it's a hunch, and will not be qualifiable in the typical ways - yet. Stick by it! Believe in the genius of it.
4. Give an example of when someone used an intuitive sense that turned into a profitable venture, like Steve Jobs, the renowned cofounder of Apple Computers. When I read his quote to the right, it seems to me that he always felt different, like a "round peg in a square hole", a misfit, a troublemaker, a rebel. And look at what his tuition created for the world! He had ideas and saw things that most other people didn't; he clearly was a sensitive person. He was highly intuitive and followed that information. He left this earth as one of the greatest geniuses of all time.
5. And most importantly, support your intuition - take your rest breaks and lunches. You are entitled to them - by law. Schedule down time regularly through your day. You can go out to your car during lunch, or sit under an oak tree and soak in the quieter surroundings. Sneak into an unoccupied conference room, close the door, and take a break. Whatever you need to do to get space, and have quiet alone time each day - do it!
6. Take vacations - they are given to you to rejuvenate. This is vitally important self-care to keep you balanced and thriving. Without it, it'll be much harder to tap that intuition and bring it into the world. 
7. Trust yourself. Trust your gut. It won't let you down.

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​And if you've tried all of these ideas, and find that your workplace continues to be too stressful, you may need to create a better job! 

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