Don’t let your mindset stop you

You would be forgiven for feeling a little down or not as motivated as normal due to the external environment and new rules we are all having to face. Times are certainly challenging both in the work environment and in our personal lives: Not being able to see the people we love and work with as often, or in the same capacity as we would normally do. Our homes are now our office, classroom, and personal space – it is hard to find where the boundaries start and finish. We are seven months in and there seems to be little light at the end of the tunnel…

It is in times like these that we all need to find that extra bit of mental strength in order to cope and manage the situation. We must deal with the ‘new normal’ and come to terms with the fact that this is here for the foreseeable future; so, let us make the most of it! We need to embrace it by flexing and adapting to accommodate the challenge.

Here are some tips to do just that:

• Be positive – Everything is so much easier to tackle if we face it head on and be positive! Focus on the benefits as to what could come from a situation rather than the challenge to achieve it. For example, being at home means there is more ‘family time’ or means you are saving a 2-hour daily commute. ‘Every cloud has a silver lining’
• Be clear on the goal – Set realistic goals as what you want to achieve and by when. Sometimes little steps are better than huge leaps! It is also motivational to tick off these smaller goals when you have achieved them.
• Find the right rhythm – If we are balancing work and home life, then define and plan for that balance. Working flexibly is not about working longer, just with a pattern that provides the right productivity, balanced with supporting and making time for family.
• Don’t be afraid of failure – We are only human; we all make mistakes; don’t be afraid to make some. Ensure you learn from them by evaluating what could have been done differently and what you will do next time.
• Seek help and support – We are all in this together. Collaborate and connect with colleagues, friends and family on a regular basis. If not in person (socially distanced) then do it via video (WhatsApp, Teams, Zoom, Facetime etc.) Seeing others faces and emotions help us emotionally too.
• Put things in perspective – So we are having to work from home and not see our friends as often as we would like in person. Focus on the good things you do have, hopefully health, a job and a roof over your head. There is always someone worse off than you.

We work with individuals on a one to one basis in a coaching or mentoring capacity to focus on the areas that matter most. We also support teams to work in unison together, leveraging individual skills and aligning to goals and ensuring everyone has the positive mindset and right behaviours. Contact us help@pureblueocean.com to see how we can help.