During difficult times like these, many people get guidance
and directives from their employer with regards to work-related challenges and changes. That's part of great leadership from employers, but
many people who closely identify themselves with their jobs and companies feel
lost on the personal front. They feel
helpless and frustrated because they think they've lost control over their professional
and personal lives. Here are six things
for everyone to consider if they feel like they are losing control.
Ways to Maintain Control Over Life
- Accept that there are things happening that are
beyond our control; what we can do is focus on things that are within our
control.
- Take care of ourselves. This is the most
important thing we can all do. Don’t panic but take all precautions to stay
healthy and avoid COVID-19 infection. Everyone
else's health is dependent on our good health; that's how contagion prevention works. This is a great time to focus on yourself and
your loved ones.
- Communicate both professionally and personally more
than normal. One of the major challenges of a remote workforce is staying in
touch, keeping connected, preserving the office culture. We all must work
together to stay connected and support each another. Jokes, funny stories and personal experiences
should be shared so we can all take a much-needed break from all the negative
news during the crisis. Let your family and friends know you’re all right and what you are doing,
especially if you are under a shelter-and-stay-home directive from the
government. If you have single family or
friends, reach out to them regularly to check in and let them know they are not
alone.
- Focus on the light at the end of the tunnel.
Having survived several global crises, I can assure you there is always an end to these
situations. Try to focus on that resolution and not the
immediate panic and hysteria. Make
future plans for when the crisis is over; planning for the future is not only
cathartic, it gives people hope.
- Take in the news intermittently and don't watch
it all day -- that just adds to more anxiety and hysteria. It's important to maintain balance to reduce
stress. Focus on positive things to
balance out the surrounding negativity. Play with the dog or cat or kids, and do
yoga, engage in cardio excercise, play games, binge-watch streaming content, find recipes to test out -- whatever brings some escape and enjoyment.
- All of us will react differently during this
pandemic; let’s be more empathetic, supportive, kind and non-judgmental. Let’s focus on supporting each other through
this. Let’s share the burdens and stress of challenging times like this. Have
you ever watched the flying formation of migrating geese? At the very front is a leader of the flock
and they fly in an aerodynamic V formation. When the lead goose gets fatigued, another steps up into the lead flying
position and they all take turns sharing the physical burden of leading.
There’s much we can learn from their example about ourselves during this
pandemic. You are not alone -- we're all
here to take our turns and share the burdens.
Hopefully these considerations will help you feel
like you do have areas of your life where you can exert some control. Stay safe and healthy, and
stay connected!
Kevin Iwamoto, chief strategy officer of Bizly, is a regular contributor to the Northstar Meetings Group. You can read his Industry Insights blog on Meetings & Conventions, follow him on Twitter @KevinIwamoto and visit his Amazon author page.