The Mindset Shift to Let Go of Negativity in the Workplace

Is it time to let go of negativity in the workplace? Just as I cleared my space by shredding outdated documents, letting go of emotional baggage—resentments, grudges, unresolved conflicts—can free up space for positivity and growth in life and leadership.

During a move several years ago, I found boxes of outdated documents I had been holding onto far longer than necessary. Knowing these documents were taking up valuable space, I decided to start clearing them out. Over a three-week period, I took stacks of papers to be shredded.

The first week, I let go of 27 pounds of documents.
The second week, I released 32 pounds.
Finally, the third week, I shed another 35 pounds!

Altogether, I cleared 94 pounds of documents that no longer served me—old bank statements, tax forms, and other outdated information.

As I walked away from the store each week, I felt free. Oddly enough, I even felt lighter. This experience got me thinking…

What are you holding onto that you no longer need?

• A grudge towards a boss or co-worker
• Bitterness from an unresolved conflict 
• Resentment for a wrong done to you that was never acknowledged  

In my book How Did My Family Get In My Office?!, one leader, Ryan, shared how unresolved hurt from his past affected his daily mindset. A co-worker once told him, “Ryan, you’re always so negative.”

Ryan described the moment: “It was like someone took a 2×4 and BAM—hit me upside the head with it. That comment went straight to my soul. For the first time, I realized my negativity was hurting me.”

When I asked him, “How did you turn around the negativity?” Ryan responded with something powerful: “The phrase, ‘Walk a mile in my shoes.’

Ryan realized the hurt he was holding onto stemmed from childhood experiences of feeling overlooked and disconnected from his family. He began to understand the underlying pain inside him and recognized that his parents did the best they could given their challenges.

Ryan said, “I now strive to consider that everyone has gone through something difficult. We all have to deal with pain that can influence how we react or trigger rude comments. But we also have the choice to recognize the baggage we’re holding onto—and to change for the better.”

Let Go of Negativity in the Workplace

Through self-awareness, Ryan recognized the internal hurt he was harboring and how it came out as negativity towards others. He realized he’d become the opposite of the person he wanted to be.

Just as I cleared outdated documents, consider what “useless” burdens are weighing you down. What would it take for you to let go of these emotional weights and create more space in your life for positivity?

Make the conscious choice to let go of negativity by releasing what you no longer need so you experience more space in your life and leadership for positivity.

About the author 

Bonnie Artman Fox, MS, LMFT works with executive leaders who want to gain self-awareness about the impact of their words and actions and up-level their interpersonal skills. 

Drawing from decades as a psychiatric nurse and licensed family therapist, Bonnie brings a unique perspective to equip executive leaders with the roadmap to emotional intelligence that brings teams together. 

Bonnie’s leadership Turnaround coaching program has an 82% success rate in guiding leaders to replace abrasive behavior with tact, empathy, and consideration of others. The end result is a happy, healthy, and profitable workplace…sooner vs. later.