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Overcome FOMO to Embrace JOMO

I love taking vacations, being out in nature hiking and trekking, and going where the Wi-Fi is weak. But if I am honest, I must acknowledge that every time I plan to be out-of- pocket I get FOMO – fear of missing out. Logically I know that unplugging is necessary in order to refresh, rejuvenate, and recharge, but at the same time, I want to be available & check-in on things worrying about the “what if.” What if a client needs me? What if something important takes place? What is something falls through the cracks?

In nearly any career field, or employment capacity, dedication to one’s work is highly desirable. It typically indicates that people are committed, reliable, and responsible. Yet, being overly dedicated can lead to imbalance and unhealthy choices. Career FOMO stems from imagined potential losses of missing out on work opportunities. Trying to do it all is just as unrealistic as thinking that everyone is living a charmed life based on social media posts. Ultimately, no one can or should do it all and be on 100% of the time. We are the sum total of our choices. Making good choices and wise decisions when it comes to either doing things or missing out on things can determine the level of success we achieve. The opportunities are infinite, but time is finite. Pursuing things out of the fear of missing out can be exhausting and lead to burnout.

Signs you might be experiencing career FOMO:

  1. Do you say “yes” to every single work-related request, activity and event?

  2. Do you over-schedule and over-commit yourself?

  3. Do you feel guilty when you take time off and find yourself constantly thinking about work, and checking email obsessively to make sure you didn’t miss anything?

  4. Do you persistently compare yourself to colleagues and LinkedIn connections and feel like you are falling short on your goals and accomplishments?

  5. Do you frequently feel left out when you are not invited to a meeting, copied on an email, or asked to weigh in on a decision?

When we experience FOMO, it is typically because we get entangled in our own emotional clutter to the point that we lose sight of the things that are important and what truly motivates us. A better approach is to do things for the love of the game and the joy of self-discovery, achievement, and fulfillment. Joy of Missing Out is about understanding our intrinsic needs and motivations so that our choices will energize and propel us forward rather than deplete and diminish us. Here’s how to embrace JOMO in five steps:

  1. Accept that missing out is a part of life, that not everything is an emergency, and that the world isn’t going to crumble if you take time off.

  2. Get specific on what you fear you are missing out. Describing what you feel you are missing out on is an effective way to hone in on what you actually want. That will give you insights on the right things to pursue.

  3. Build meaningful relationships. Feeling appreciated and supported will help you maintain high levels of mental well-being, which in turn will help you stay motivated and focused on your own success.

  4. Apply forward thinking. What would your eighty-year-old self-looking back on the situation at hand would regret missing out on?

  5. Recognize that downtime for your soul and your brain is important for you to be your personal best. Set boundaries and diligently protect your leisure time. Give yourself the gift of JOMO and proactively plan how to spend your precious newly gained time.

Life is transient. Every job is temporary. Prioritize missing out on the unimportant stuff to fully enjoy the things that matter most. Each moment is a gift. Will you choose fear, or joy?




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