Whether you are fortunate enough to have your job waiting for you after treatment or starting fresh with a new job after treatment, chances are your work suffered from active addiction. The ability to give 100%, be a good coworker and employee, or even show up are just a few things that are impacted by drug or alcohol abuse.
Now that you have made new choices in your life and are working to stay clean and sober every day, you can also make changes in your work ethic. Forget about the old habits of calling in sick or not calling in at all. No more doing the least amount of work possible or “phoning it in.” This is the new you, and you owe it to yourself to be the best employee you can be, no matter what your job may be. Take this opportunity now to develop a new work ethic in recovery.
Showing Up for Yourself
Getting out of bed every day and going to work is not always easy for the average person. For someone in recovery, every aspect of getting to work daily might be a battle won. When waking up on time after another sleepless night, getting out of bed, getting ready for work, getting to work on time, and facing another sober day seems like too much for you, remember why you are doing all of this: You are doing this for yourself.
Developing a new work ethic is no longer about showing up for your boss or your coworkers or because you need the money. The new you is about showing up for yourself because this is who you are and what you do now. You are reliable and responsible because that is who you are. Okay, and also because it feels good to be known as the guy everyone can depend upon to show up. That is for you, too. Showing up feels good because you are doing it for yourself.
Not Just a Paycheck Anymore
Most people go to work because they need the paycheck; that is a reality. However, people with a strong work ethic are not motivated to do a good job just because they are getting paid. They are motivated to do their best work at whatever they do because they want to do their best work. These are the same people who wake up, make their beds, brush their teeth, wash the dishes before leaving the house, and generally take pride in everything they do.
That is the ethic that you can build, too. You do not need to be perfect or do all of those things at once. You do need to find something that motivates you to do your best work that is not only about getting a paycheck. Start with just one thing, and do it well. Take pride in doing it well, then add another task. You can be that person who cares about their work.
Developing a New Attitude
Do you go to work with the attitude that your employer owes you something? That simply because you showed up, you have done your part? Do you take advantage of breaks and take extra time beyond what you should? Are you in the habit of abusing other perks that are offered? Or do you show up early, perhaps even work a few minutes late, and make sure that you take appropriate-length breaks, never taking advantage of anything offered to you?
The second attitude is the one that you are looking for in recovery. This is the attitude of the hard-working employee who cares about their job and is dedicated and honest in all they do. Unfortunately, workers with this attitude are too rare these days, but that does not need to stop you from being among the few. You can stand out well when you develop a new attitude at work.
Being Completely Accountable
Accountability is a big word to live by in recovery. There are no excuses, no blaming anyone or anything else for your behaviors or actions. You are 100% responsible for anything and everything related to your job performance (as well as everything else in your life.) Being completely accountable means that, should you be late for work, it was not because of traffic — you did not leave early enough to account for the potential traffic.
Taking ownership of all of your successes and failures can actually feel good. You save a lot of time you may have previously wasted trying to make up lies and excuses, and you also save a lot of energy you might have wasted trying to keep all of your stories straight. When you are responsible for your actions, you are free to learn from your failures and build upon your successes. There does not need to be any more guilt or shame or blame, only transparency and accountability. This quality will build trust in the workplace with both your coworkers and your supervisors.
Budgeting Your Time
Part of learning to be accountable and responsible is learning how to budget your time well. Your time outside of work should be spent managing your private affairs. Shopping, errands, phone calls, and other personal tasks should be dealt with outside working hours. Aside from the occasional doctor appointment, court date, or mandated visit with a parole officer or similar obligation, work hours should be only for work. Phone calls that need to be made during the day should be kept to your lunch or break time and apply to personal calls and texts.
Obviously, you will want to have fun outside of work. By budgeting your time wisely, you should be able to accomplish all of the things that you need to do as well as some of the things that you want to do, and still have time to rest and prepare for work as required. Using your time wisely outside of work is part of your responsibility as an employee to show up and be present during the workday. Setting proper boundaries with friends and family about times they can communicate with you is also part of your responsibility in budgeting your time.
Developing Good Sleep Habits for Work
Sleep might be the most elusive idea after treatment for substance abuse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), sleep disturbances such as insomnia are very common. Insomnia can lead to intensified cravings, putting you at higher risk of relapse and impacting your work performance.
Fortunately, you can do things to increase your chances of getting good sleep. Practicing good sleep habits will increase both the likelihood of and quality of your sleep and eventually create a regular sleep schedule to prepare you for work. Good habits to promote better sleep include:
- Put away all screens and devices an hour before bedtime
- Keep a regular sleep and wake schedule, even on weekends
- Keep your sleep area clean and comfortable
- Keep your sleep area calm and peaceful in decor
- Your sleep area should be comfortably cool
- Your sleep area should be dark — blackout curtains or an eye mask can help
- Limit noise in your sleep area as much as possible
Looking at Work as a Career, Not Just a Job
Another aspect of developing a good work ethic is to look at work as more than just a job. Even if you do not have the position of your dreams now, look at your current job and see what you can learn from it and how you can benefit from it on your career path.
Do you think your current employment is worthless because it is not what you want to do long-term? Everything from watching how the company runs to interacting with others and picking up new skills each day can help you toward your future career. Each day can be a learning experience. Look for the career in your job today.
What Can I Learn Today?
Going into work with the mindset that it is not just another workday, but an opportunity for learning will help you progress toward your career goals. Simply begin each day with the question, “What can I learn today?”
Look for opportunities to ask questions. Learn more about your job description and responsibilities and the dynamics of other jobs around and above you. Climbing the ladder of success does not happen to you. It happens when you take action and are eager to learn, work hard, and prove yourself. No matter how useless the information or skill may seem, do your best to learn something new every day.
How to Develop New Skills
New skills can be learned on the job. Sometimes, you may need extra time or effort to prove yourself or demonstrate that you are ready to handle more work, and sometimes patience is required for these opportunities. Through diligence, hard work, responsibility, and a willingness to learn, you can learn vital skills at the workplace.
Another option for learning is through an online course or community college class. This route takes extra discipline to fit in with your support meetings and other commitments. Still, when you are prepared to take on the additional responsibility, you can take the opportunity to educate yourself further and develop new skills to help advance your career pathway.
Strengthening Your Resumé
Going to work each day is more than just showing up and putting in your time. Each day, you are learning new skills and making preparations for your future resumé. Keep track of special projects you are involved in or knowledge or qualities that may help you stand out from others on your resumé. Look for opportunities to be involved in new areas, showcase talents you have, or develop new abilities that will help to strengthen your resumé.
Building Your Future
Above all else, developing a new work ethic in recovery involves a shift in how you look at your future. Is your future something far off and that you only dream about? Or is your future within your grasp, an extension of your workday today? Each day should serve as a building block toward your future.
Take an inventory of your life, particularly your career. Do you already have the job of your dreams? Will the position you have now lead you to the one of your dreams? If so, what do you need to do to get there?
If you are not on track to have the job or career of your dreams, what is one thing you can do today to change your outcome? Building your future tomorrow is about being your best today.
Developing a new work ethic in recovery is more than just a financial or career move. You can learn to show up for yourself, take pride in your work, and be genuinely accountable in all that you do. As you climb the career ladder, you also learn more about yourself as you develop new skills and build your future. Real Recovery Sober Living in Florida believes in honest, hard work because we know it makes you a better man. Our goal is to help you rebuild your life to be successful in all that you do. Our men’s sober living homes are clean and affordable, and we create accountability and community in a stable environment. Our program offers experience, strength, and hope as you work to rebuild your life each day in recovery. Find out more about how we can support you in rebuilding your career by calling (727) 290-9156 today.
