In other words - how to keep your mouth shut. Through the years I have become much less verbal, realizing my opinion really does not matter. The current work climate is so caustic that anything said can be turned around into something different. I am doing fine and just need to hang in there for 5 more months. I cannot skip meetings or take more leave. I keep my door shut to work and it does help. When I am especially overloaded with work and time constraints and overtime- on those days my defenses go down. Any one have any tricks of the trade?
Repeat your mantra: “5 more months, 5 more months…” in your head. Count to 10 before speaking – hopefully someone else will jump in and you will lose the urge to speak. 
Get a kikui nut lei and bring it to the meetings as your soon-to-be-outta-here “rosary.” When tensions rise, count the beads and think of a nice, sunny Hawaiian beach… turquoise water, puka shells, palm trees… screw this place… I’m outta here soon!
Come here and complain to us. Anybody who minds just won’t look at this thread.
Bring food to eat in meeting. You are so busy chewing or eating that you can’t talk. Honestly, I’m in the same boat but was able to talk the Firm into let me work part time again, reluctantly they agreed. I have less than 3 months.
Earplugs and duct tape?? Thought about it for my office anyway, and it’s earplugs for me and duct tape for them. Kind of like doubling up on birth control to be sure.
Love Dr. Google’s idea! Make the loudmouths salivate while you quietly munch on your dark chocolate and berries. Blueberries are especially good if you can savior them one by one: a cup is full of antioxidants and vitamins and can keep you occupied for an hour.
I agree with earplugs, seriously. You can say you’re listening to dictation for work or something if you need to mention anything, but listen to whatever helps you stay calm. You can do this–only 5 more months!
Can you work from home some or all of the time? Much more feasible now than it used to be.
This is good. In lots of firms, it’s common for people to be allowed one work from home day per week. Only being in the office for 4 days instead of 5 might make a big difference.
Good luck!!! I bite my tongue,literally. I have only 8 more work days and I am determined to shut up about things! LOL. It’s all on the survivors now to deal with as they will.
I wish I knew. I used to be able to sit on my hands and I’d be able to avoid saying anything out loud. That doesn’t work anymore.
Five months is nothing.
Just smile and nod. Be Miss Congeniality.
Great ideas! No options for part time or work at home. Cannot do earplugs. Can put hand to mouth to remind myself.
I am getting time off to Drs apps- sick leave- since I broke my arm exercising- this really does break up the week as Wednesdays are ortho’s only checkup appts. I like the time off.
Meetings I am better at now.
When I am on call monthly, have a full schedule (not allowed to cut it down ), and things literally fly at me from all directions for about 12 hours per day at the office for a week at a time, and then there is also night time calls that suck the energy out of me that I loose my defenses. Calls from other hospitals at 2 AM on saturdays can be very nasty. These are the times I will have a plan now- I start call thursday. Mantra which will change to 4 next month, count to ten in thousands, and bring food.
Thanks!
I have been smiling more at work. I noticed that about a couple of weeks ago.
I had to attend some work-related meetings and learned it was better to keep my mouth shut. I reminded myself before every meeting “do not open your mouth”. I wrote an acronym on my agenda/notes as well. It was hard because usually I’m more engaged and interactive but the leadership/climate changed and speaking was not a good idea. I eventually resigned and it was such a relief.
I am being moved to a different job in a different organization. I just have to make it 4 years - 3 years and 10 months before it becomes on last day. As long as I keep my mouth shut for that length of time, I’m golden.
My acronyms are either, “I work with idiots” or “I don’t care”
I have to learn to smile at my enemies. I know it’s hard to do when you feel the opposite. But it goes a long way in making my last few months tolerable. Just eating and smiling leaving me no time to talk ill at anybody.
RMH, you mean chit-chat and gossip interruptions or management comes in to share thoughts and get your reaction? I had a dorm friend who, when she didn’t like being bothered by the former, just had nothing to say beyond a random “umm,” picked up her work and quite obviously got back to it.
Meetings? Look 'em in the eye and smile.
I mean coworkers , management, outside management, trying to get me to do something without being able to assess the situation fully before making an on the spot decision. no chit chat or gossip. I sometimes will sound too harsh or direct. not responding for 10 seconds would be an improvement.