2016 has turned out to be one of the toughest years in recent memory, and it’s tougher still if the downturn in the economy is hitting you right where it hurts. Here’s how to handle changing times in the workplace, and survive and strive in the days, months, and years to come.
By Dave Luis
“2016 has zero chill.” I’ve heard friends say this over and over again, as they are bombarded with increased work challenges, impossible deadlines and the high cost of being in business.
Let’s face it. 2016 has been massively tough for most businesses, no matter if you’re a niche agency or a giant corporate. And as profits slow, falter and become losses, many companies are streamlining and downsizing. Any email from HR is treated with a fair amount of panic – what if your number is up and your role has been cut?
Well, luckily I did not get one of those emails in our recent office shake up, but a number of my colleagues did, and when the dust had settled and the retrenchment process was over, we had to pick up the pieces and deliver on our targets. Which hadn’t changed.
But just how do you refocus and keep a positive mind-set? It’s so easy to fall into the trap of survivor’s remorse. Fear (of more retrenchments) and resentment (of management who axed friends and colleagues, and loaded you with more work) can derail your motivation and productivity so much that you could end up bringing about a self-fulfilling prophecy as you work yourself out of a job.
I was a nervous wreck as we entered this new phase. We still had to deliver on all our targets, meet industry-beating turn-around times and do it with an authentic smile. That’s a pretty big ask, and I felt the old fears from restructures at my previous companies rising up to overwhelm me. Even though I had survived the restructure, how would I survive the new office landscape? It required a big change.
I took some time out to refocus and do some serious me-work. What I’ve learned can be summed up in 5 basic points.
Firstly, self-awareness. You’ve got to know your worth and be realistic about what you can deliver. You’re no good to anyone if you take on so much you end up dropping several balls. You might need some courageous conversations with your boss and decide which projects you can run with and which need to be put on the backburner or given to someone else. It’s not always possible, but it’s about prioritising.
Next, you need to get really good at self-regulation. And here I mean all aspects of yourself. From observing boundaries of work hours and home life, to healthy eating and getting enough sleep and exercise.
This was tough for me, because I am not a fan of exercise, but keeping a good flow of endorphins from a little bit of activity, good food and lots of sleep go a long way at keeping the black dog of work-place depression at bay. You also need to learn to say no, when the tendency is to take on all projects to prove that the company absolutely cannot do without you. They can, so deal with it, and don’t overload your work to-do list.
Motivation is your next mind-set shift. For me, that comes in the form of meditation and beautiful sunsets, with a big dose of positivity brought by reading various motivational self-help life books. For you it may be chatting to friends who have weathered similar situations or finding yourself an unofficial business mentor.
Whatever it is that gets you going, find it, and do loads of it. I’ve written 10 key affirmations on a card that is stuck to my mirror and I read these every day before I leave home. You might feel silly doing it – at first – but you’ll soon find that the best personal coach you can have lives within you. (See? I’m even starting to sound like one of them now!)
Applying all these changes to yourself helps you with the next step, which is empathy. Empathy for yourself, your team and yes, your bosses. Retrenchment is stressful no matter who you are and what your position is in the company. So go lightly when it comes to how you interact with your team.
Yes, you’ll have moments of stress and anger about the retrenchments, but the situation is brought about by our wobbly economy, and that’s what you need to remember. Taking it out on your colleagues or even worse, talking to your colleagues about your bosses’ failings is only going to increase your stress and resentment. Don’t do it. Treat everyone with the kindness you wish they showed you.
This is also the final point in my revelations. Social skills in the office. Work relationships. It’s a long, long day to get through if you’re not getting along with everyone, or if someone spends 6 of their 9 hours gossiping about what She in Accounts said about Him in Development. Graciously exit all these energy sapping conversations. You don’t need them. They don’t help. So why waste your time and emotional energy adding to an immature, unprofessional cesspit?
At the end of the day, some office situations are going to be completely untenable in the long run, after a restructure. You might find that the very best way to survive the shake-up is to focus on updating your CV and making the big change yourself, to get a new job. A business in tough times will always, always put its survival ahead of everything else – and that’s a good principle to focus on. When in doubt, take care of yourself.
- Dave Luis is the poster boy for “had it all, lost it all – starting over from scratch”. Dave is a prolific blogger and is incredibly passionate about food (more about this on his Instagram and blog).
- This article first appeared on the Change Exchange, an online platform by BrightRock, provider of the first-ever life insurance that changes as your life changes. The opinions expressed in this piece are the writer’s own and don’t necessarily reflect the views of BrightRock.
