stay motivated & engaged when going through tough times

 

NOVEMBER 2, 2011

Stay Engaged in a Downturn

In hard economic times, it's normal to feel powerless. You may feel stuck in your job, or incapable of influencing your organization's future. Instead of ruminating on uncertainty, focus on staying engaged. Here are two ways to do that: Support the progress of your team. Devote a portion of your day to helping a struggling teammate or mentoring a high-potential coworker. As the team progresses, you'll feel more motivated. And as the team succeeds, it will become more valuable to the organization. Achieve small wins. Even when you face uncertainty, you can enjoy work and maintain good performance by getting manageable tasks done. Don't try to tackle a huge project. Just make small progress toward your goals every day.

Today's Management Tip was adapted from "How to Stay Engaged (and Employed?) in a Downturn" by Teresa Amabile and Steve Kramer.