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  • Writer's pictureEdwin and George

Why You Might Be Struggling at Work & The “Below the Line” Excuse Trap!

Feeling stuck in your job? Not performing as well as you’d like? You’re not alone!


But sometimes, the reasons we think we're struggling aren't the whole story. Let's break it down:


The "Below the Line" Excuses: Are You Falling Into This Trap?


1. Blaming the Team:

“It’s not me, it’s them!” Sound familiar? It's easy to point fingers at your colleagues' competence.


2. Resource Rant:

“I don’t have what I need!” Lacking tools or resources is a common grievance.


3. Manager Miseries:

“My boss just doesn’t get me.” Is it really a lack of support, or is there more to it?


4. Fairness Frustration:

Feeling overlooked or unfairly treated can be a go-to excuse.


5. Overload Overdrive:

“Too much work, too little time!” Is it an overwhelming workload or poor time management?


6. Policy Problems:

Blaming company policies for performance hiccups can be misleading.


7. External Blame Game:

“It’s the economy’s fault!” But is it really?


8. Training Troubles:

Claiming insufficient training might be dodging accountability.


9. Personal Life Predicaments:

Sometimes, personal issues are used to justify work struggles.


10. Unrealistic Goals Gripe:

Are the targets really unachievable, or is it a matter of perspective?


Real Reasons Behind Underperformance:


1. Skill Shortage:

Missing essential skills or knowledge for your role?


2. Misfit:

Is your job aligned with your interests and abilities?


3. Confusion Over Expectations: Not sure what your job really entails?


4. Training Gap:

Could more training or development be the key?


5. Motivation Dip:

Lost your spark for the job?


6. Personal Challenges:

Health, family, or mental health issues interfering?


7. Management Woes:

Is poor leadership or support the real issue?


8. Toxic Work Culture:

Are you in a negative environment?


9. Life Imbalance: Struggling to juggle work and personal life?


10. Feedback Famine:

Craving more recognition or constructive feedback?


Recognising the difference between "below the line" excuses and genuine issues is crucial. It's about shifting from a victim mindset to taking proactive steps for personal and professional growth. Dive into the real reasons, find solutions, and watch your performance soar!




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