2020 was a year unlike any other, and 2021 is following closely in its footsteps. Many employees are still working remotely, and those who are reporting to work in-person face added risks of contracting the virus or spreading it to a loved one. Worldwide financial instability has translated to job instability for many, leaving people wondering what the future holds and if their jobs are safe on a near-daily basis. With all of this stress, uncertainty, and risk, staying positive at work while waiting for the pandemic to end can seem near impossible. Read on to learn some tips for staying positive even in the face of adversity and unpredictability.
Stay Active
People working from home are experiencing an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. It is easy to stay within the same four walls for an entire day without getting much exercise. Feeling stir-crazy from being confined to just one place can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction with one’s job. To break up the day and feel more positive about work, try staying active. Even if it means simply going for a walk outside during a work break, staying active will provide you with much needed time to recharge, allow you to appreciate the world outside of your workspace, and recenter you as you prepare to take on the rest of the challenges of your workday.
Celebrate Wins
Successes call for celebration. Even if you can’t convene with your coworkers or staff in person, when one of the members of your team succeeds, find ways to recognize that person’s work and celebrate the victory. Celebrating even small wins helps people feel motivated, appreciated, and seen. Taking a moment to congratulate a coworker on your staff meeting Zoom call will go a long way toward brightening everyone’s day. Celebrating victories can also be a personal mission. Be sure to make space and take time to celebrate yourself for all of the hard work you are doing during an especially difficult time. Reflecting on the work you have done will remind you how far you have come and can inspire you to reassess your goals to keep building toward the future.
Find Moments of Mindfulness
Not only is it very difficult to feel positive all the time, but it is also not always healthy. The truth is, some days will be challenging, even as the world continues to return to normal. However, by practicing mindfulness, you can give yourself a clear sense of your priorities and check in with yourself about how you feel about work and life. Practicing mindfulness also offers you an opportunity to explore things you are grateful for. Even if your current job isn’t exactly what you want for yourself in the long term, many people are currently out of work, and so simply having a job is something to feel grateful for. Finally, moments of mindfulness can light a fire within you. As you reflect on your current situation, if you find inequities or workplace problems coming to mind, think about ways you can tackle them. While this spurs an emotion that is slightly different than positivity, feeling moved to action is a powerful feeling that will carry you far beyond your workday and can inspire you to fight to change your workplace for the better. It all starts with finding a few moments to be present with yourself and putting in the effort to reflect.