Why Resilient Workforce Critical to Employers

Introduction

Why is a resilient workforce critical to employers?

Today's workforce must be resilient

Resilience is a critical trait that enables individuals to cope with challenges and bounce back from adversity. In the workplace, resilience is more important than ever, particularly in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing business environment.

Employers must ensure that their workforce is resilient if they want to remain competitive and thrive in the face of ongoing challenges.

Reasons Today’s Workforce Must be Resilient – for their Employers’ Sakes

There are several obvious reasons why resilience is critical for a workforce.

Firstly, resilient employees are better equipped to manage stress and pressure. They are less likely to become overwhelmed by setbacks or challenges and can maintain a positive attitude even in difficult circumstances. This not only benefits the individual but also the organization, as it leads to better morale, improved productivity, and reduced turnover.

Secondly, resilient employees are better able to adapt to change. In today’s business world, change is constant, and organizations must be able to adapt quickly to remain competitive. Resilient employees can navigate change more easily, embracing new technologies, processes, and ways of working. This helps to ensure that the organization remains agile and responsive, able to pivot quickly in response to new opportunities or challenges.

Third, resilient employees are more innovative. They are not afraid to take risks or try new things, even if they may fail. They are comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity and are not afraid to challenge the status quo. This is particularly important in industries such as technology and innovation, where organizations need to continually push boundaries and take risks to remain competitive.

Fourth, resilient employees are better able to collaborate and work as a team. They are more open to feedback and are less likely to become defensive or take things personally. This creates a more positive and productive workplace culture, where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to work together towards shared goals.

Fifth, resilient employees are better equipped to cope with the inevitable setbacks and failures that occur in any workplace. They are able to learn from their mistakes and use this knowledge to improve their performance in the future. This creates a culture of continuous improvement, where employees are constantly striving to learn and grow.

4 Ways Employers Ensure Their Workforce Is Resilient

All right, we accept that a resilient workforce critical to employers in today’s challenging business environment. But how can employers ensure that their workforce is resilient?

4 Paths to Workforce Resilience

Employers must work to ensure today's workforce is resilient

We identified 4 steps employers should take if they want to ensure an adequate supply of  high-performing employees because resilient workforce critical to employers:

1. They need to create a supportive and positive workplace culture

This includes promoting work-life balance, providing opportunities for training and development, and fostering open communication and collaboration. It also means recognizing and rewarding employees who demonstrate resilience, as this helps to reinforce the importance of this trait.

2. Employers need to provide employees with the tools and resources they need

That helps employees to cope with stress and pressure. This includes access to mental health resources, such as employee assistance programs or counseling services, as well as training on stress management techniques, such as mindfulness or meditation.

3. Companies should encourage employees to take breaks and prioritize self-care

This can include providing opportunities for exercise, healthy eating, and relaxation, as well as promoting the importance of taking time off and disconnecting from work.

4. Employers should foster a culture of continuous learning and development

This includes providing opportunities for training and upskilling, as well as encouraging employees to take risks and try new things. By doing so, employers can help employees to develop the confidence and resilience they need to thrive in the face of ongoing challenges.

In Conclusion

word resilience

The critical importance of resilience in the workplace cannot be overstated. Resilient employees are better equipped to manage stress, adapt to change, innovate, collaborate, and learn from setbacks and failures.

So, companies must create a supportive and positive workplace culture, providing employees with the tools and resources they need to cope with stress and pressure, prioritizing self-care, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.  That is how employers can ensure that today’s workforce must be resilient and well-positioned to succeed in today’s ever-changing business environment.

Need Assistance Hiring Resilient Workers

Flexicrew supports employers who recognize today's workforce must be resilient

Flexicrew recognizes that a resilient workforce critical to employers.  If you need some assistance in recruiting and hiring more resilient workers in this tight labor market, contact Flexicrew Today.

Why Todays Workers Must be Resilient to Survive

Introduction

Today's Workers Must be Resilient to Survive

There is an ever-increasing demand that workers must be resilient to keep up with the expected fast changing pace of work. The modern workforce is constantly evolving. In today’s rapidly changing economy, companies and industries are shifting at an unprecedented pace. The emergence of new technologies and the changing demands of customers mean that businesses must be agile and adaptable. As a result, workers must be resilient also to keep pace with the demands of the modern workforce. In this article, we will discuss why today’s workforce must be more resilient.

What Does Resilience Mean for Modern Workers?

Resilience is the ability to adapt to changes, overcome challenges, and bounce back from setbacks. In today’s workforce, being resilient is essential because the work environment is always changing. In the past, workers could rely on a set of skills to carry them through their entire careers. However, in today’s world, technology is changing at an exponential rate, and workers need to constantly adapt to new tools and processes. Being resilient means that workers can quickly learn new skills and stay ahead of the curve.

5 Reasons Why Today’s Workers Must be Resilient

Today's workers must be Resilient

We identified 5 reasons why today’s workers must be resilient:

  1. Automation and Artificial Intelligence
  2. Gig Economy
  3. Pandemic and Remote Work
  4. Challenging Modern Workplace
  5. Modern Workers Highly Competitive

Let us explore them one-by-one…

1. Automation and Artificial Intelligence

One of the biggest reasons why the workforce must be more resilient today is the rise of automation and artificial intelligence. These technologies are rapidly transforming industries, and many jobs that were once performed by humans are now being automated. This means that workers must constantly adapt to new roles and new industries to remain employable. Those who are resilient are better equipped to make the transition to new roles and industries.

2. Gig Economy

Another reason why today’s workers must be resilient today is the shift towards a gig economy. More and more people are working as freelancers, contractors, and temporary employees. This means that workers must constantly hustle to find new opportunities and projects. Being resilient means that workers can quickly adapt to new work environments, build new relationships with clients, and manage their finances effectively.

3. Pandemic and Remote Work

If the COVID-19 pandemic taught both employers and employees anything, it has highlighted the need for workers to be resilient. The pandemic has disrupted industries and forced many people to work from home. For those who have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced, being resilient has been essential. Workers who are resilient can adapt to new work environments, learn new skills, and find new opportunities. They can also manage their stress and emotions effectively, which is critical during uncertain times.

4. Challenging Modern Workplace

workplace stress shows modern workers must be resilient to overcome anxiety and be positive

Being resilient is not just about being adaptable to changes in the work environment. It is also about maintaining a positive mindset and staying focused on your goals. The modern workplace can be challenging, and it is easy to become discouraged or overwhelmed. Resilient workers are able to maintain a positive outlook, even when faced with setbacks or obstacles. They are also able to set realistic goals and work towards achieving them, even in the face of uncertainty.

5. Modern Workers Highly Competitive

Modern workers must be resilient to get ahead

Finally, being resilient is essential for workers who want to advance their careers. The modern workforce is highly competitive, and workers must continually improve their skills and knowledge to stay ahead. Resilient workers are more likely to take risks, seek out new opportunities, and push themselves out of their comfort zones. They are also more likely to bounce back from setbacks and continue to pursue their goals, even in the face of rejection or failure.

In Conclusion

The modern work environment and its workforce is constantly evolving, and workers must be resilient to keep up with the changes. Resilience is essential for workers who want to remain employable, adapt to new technologies and processes, and maintain a positive mindset. Those who are resilient are better equipped to navigate the challenges of the gig economy. And the disruption caused by automation and artificial intelligence requires upskilling or reskilling. If they are resilient workers are also more likely to advance their careers and achieve their goals. Therefore, it is essential for today’s workers to develop and maintain their resilience.

Need Assistance Hiring Resilient Workers

Today's Workers Must be Resilient. Let Flexicrew be a staffing partner to find them for you.

If you need some assistance in recruiting and hiring more resilient workers in this uncertain labor market, contact Flexicrew Today.

Addendum

Here are some ways employees can develop and maintain resilience in the workplace:

  1. Build a support network: Having supportive colleagues, mentors, and friends can help employees navigate difficult situations and build resilience.
  2. Practice self-care: Taking care of one’s physical and emotional health through exercise, healthy eating, and stress management techniques like meditation or deep breathing can help employees stay resilient.
  3. Set realistic goals: Setting achievable goals and breaking them down into smaller steps can help employees maintain a sense of control and progress, even in challenging situations.
  4. Maintain a positive attitude: Focusing on the positives, reframing challenges as opportunities, and celebrating small wins can help employees maintain a positive outlook.
  5. Learn from setbacks: Viewing setbacks as learning opportunities and reflecting on what worked and what didn’t can help employees build resilience and develop new strategies for the future.
  6. Seek feedback: Seeking constructive feedback from supervisors, colleagues, or mentors can help employees identify areas for growth and develop new skills and strategies for building resilience.

By practicing these habits, employees can develop and maintain resilience in the workplace, which can help them navigate challenges, adapt to change, and achieve their goals.

References:

Barker, E. (2016, April 26). 10 ways to boost your emotional resilience, backed by research. Time. https://time.com/4306492/boost-emotional-resilience/

Cherry, K. (2020, January). Use these 10 tips to improve your resilience. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/ways-to-become-more-resilient-2795063

Waters, B. (2013, May 21). 10 traits of emotionally resilient people. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/design-your-path/201305/10-traits-emotionally-resilient-people

5 Ways To Appreciate Successes More

How to Appreciate Successes More

It’s often more challenging to acknowledge successes and work accomplishments than projects you have underachieved. Even reflecting on excellent skills makes some workers nervous. Recognition and compliments can make workers uncomfortable.  And you sometimes don’t know how to react without appearing self-conscious in front of associates.

So, how can you positively appreciate your good traits? Likely the key is self-awareness.  That entails treating oneself with greater consideration.  Recognize you are as good as others. It requires consciousness when you evaluate your apparent shortcomings – but differently. I prefer to refer to it as “self-appreciation.”

According to LifeHack, “To love yourself is to experience freedom – freedom from doubt, self-hate, and oppression created by you. To love yourself is no longer holding yourself back from what you deserve. To love yourself is to grow and enjoy your job. Self-love is a necessity if you want to live a comfortable life. Self-love is a choice, a commitment to yourself that you will love yourself, despite all the social and biological obstacles in your path. It is not found in a place, person, or item.”

So what can you do to be easier on yourself when you underperform your expectations?  It starts when you appreciate successes more and accept mistakes as part of your complete package.

5 Ways To Appreciate Successes More

Appreciate successes more

1.Decide To Do It

Self-appreciation is a decision you have to make yourself; it is not bestowed upon you. You don’t obtain it from another person or an item. You get self-appreciation by choosing what you desire. It would be best if you decided to let go of toxic thinking and disliking yourself for not being enough.

Appreciate successes more. You can get your mind straight

Say no to all of your internal self-criticism and tell yourself the truth: you are not perfect, and that is good. Begin by giving yourself license to appreciate successes more and acknowledge yourself more. Even if you convince yourself otherwise, you are deserving of more appreciation.

Take time to tell yourself this and permit yourself to value yourself. This is the first step in  and appreciating successes more and acknowledging the reality that you can appreciate yourself.

2. Check Your Negative Beliefs at the Door

Disrupt mental patterns that are solely focused on failures and defects. When it comes to self-esteem, our subconscious is not always on our side.

It takes time and effort to educate your mind into healthy habits, but the first step is to recognize the falsehoods it tells you:

  • Recognize that feeling like a loser does not imply that you are a failure.
  • Examine the evidence to support your findings. Even though the negative thought spiral makes it feel that way.  For instance, a supervisor not replying to your text does not indicate they dislike you.
  • Recognize that the good results you achieve merit your attention as well. One negative comment should not deter you from downplaying positive feedback.
3. Give Yourself a Break When You React To Your Setbacks

You don’t have to berate yourself for every misstep at work. According to research, reacting to your own mistakes with compassion boosts your self-esteem.  That will make you a more competent and resourceful employee. Fight back against the inner critic who distorts reality.

  • There are hardly any results from your job performance that are “all or nothing.” Even if things did not go as planned, it does not imply that nothing good came from it.
  • One setback does not define you for the rest of your career.
  • Call that feeling of pessimism into question by reminding yourself, “Things didn’t go my way on this assignment. But that doesn’t indicate they always will always miss the mark. You can’t let one slip up define you nor can you project the future from today’s results.”

Don't let your mistakes or underperformance define your career

4. Let Go Of Perfection

You will never be flawless.  Don’t allow this to prevent you from appreciating successes more or accept yourself with your obvious flaws. It’s easy to kick oneself for not being all that you would like. However, this leads to self-deprecation since you focus on what you did not do rather than appreciate successes more.  Self-appreciation thrives in a great attitude, which requires you to appreciate successes more. In a worldview based on perfection, dubbed “never good enough,” your ability to recognize yourself suffers, fades, and dies.

Comparing yourself to others is dumb. Appreciate successes more and ruminate on slipups less

5. Learn To Say No

Instead of overcommitting, prioritize your own activities and needs. Respect your boundaries.

more time to accomplish your goals and appreciate successes more

Learn to decline obligations that aren’t worth the stress. The unthinking “yes” in answering any request is a sort of “people-pleasing” action.  That prioritizes everyone else’s interests before your own.  It leaves you little time to accomplish acceptable performance that you and your supervisor expect.

Overcome 4 Common Fears Holding You Back in Your Career

Fear: The #1 Thing Standing in Your Way of True Fulfilment

This article covers 4 common fears holding you back in your career and how to overcome them.

Fears holding you back

“Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.” Dorothy Thompson

Illustration of Fears Holding You Back

Imagine this: you are on vacation from work, sitting on the beach watching the sunset as waves lap the sand as you bask in the glow. A book lies in your lap as you lose yourself in thought of how wonderful you feel at this moment.

Now imagine what the reality is: You’re at work, dreaming of traveling to the beach, sitting on the sand watching the sun set. But instead of taking the steps to go, you feel fear. Suppose there’s a work emergency on the project you manage, your boss calls and orders you back, fearing you’re needed at your job by your workgroup or any of your other obligations? What if the plane crashes? Suppose you get lost? Oh my.what would happen if you let down your team? What if…?

Living with fears holding you back at work keeps you from taking the career risks and chances to go for what you  truly desire. It keeps us from finding true fulfillment.

Fulfillment Defined Facing Fears Holding You Back

Satisfaction isn’t defined by the position you have; your salary; where you live; or the number of people you manage. True fulfillment is a feeling. It’s something you feel deep inside about yourself and believe yourself to be. But to find it you have to face the fears keeping you paralyzed.

When you have fears holding you back, you feel uncertain. Facing our fears and getting out of our comfort zone is hard because of how humans naturally expect the worst-case scenario. Our brains naturally send us negative information because it is trying to keep you safe.

So how can you live a career free of fears holding you back and be truly satisfied?

Everyone has fears. It’s normal. It’s how we react to them that makes the difference in how we feel. But you might find yourself weighed down with too much fear that’s preventing you from being truly content. If that’s the case, it’s time to get familiar with your fears and find ways to work through them.

Four Common Fears that Disrupt Your Career and Causes

Here are 4 common at-work fears holding you back and ideas to help you deal with them.

Fears holding you back in your career

  1. Fear of failure

This is a common fear, often stemming from our childhood. For example, ,fear of failing a test,. This fear brings on the feeling of being judged or embarrassed. But in reality failing is part of success. Overcome this fear by not worrying about the outcome and only focusing on the process of getting to success.

  1. Fear of success

This fear stems from many different fears: fear of change, responsibilities, attention, vulnerable and many others. The best way to overcome this fear is to focus on one position at a time while moving forward in your career.

  1. Fear of rejection

The fear of being rejected is a reaction to our innate need for belonging. It can include fears of being judged, not being liked, or being alone. To overcome this fear put yourself out there, reminding yourself that the right supervisors or coworkers will respond to you favorably.

  1. Fear of not being good enough

Fear you're not good enough

This fear is rooted in how we feel about ourselves. Our low self-esteem keeps us from trying a new assignment.  At the same time,it keeps us from accepting a promotion because we lack confidence. You can overcome this fear by starting small with one task you know you can carry out. Keep doing more difficult and especially complex assignments to build your self-confidence.

Overcome fears holding you back
Conclusion

We all have fears of some kind. On the one hand they may seem rational to us, yet. they could appear irrational to others. To overcome your fears in the workplace, you need to understand why you have them and then practice facing them so you can live a career and life of true fulfilment.fears holding you back from career fulfillment

 

Stop Worrying About What Co-Workers Think

Self-Doubts

Wish you could stop worrying about what co-workers think of you.  Do you find yourself constantly doubting your decisions at work? Especially during Coronavirus?  Are you fretting over other workers’ reactions to your actions or opinions?  Do you keep ruminating over your past mistakes and bad decisions you have made? Beating yourself up?Stop Worrying About What Co-Workers Think of You

Tips & Tricks to Help You Stop Worrying

In this post, we’ll share some tips and tricks to help you stop worrying about what co-workers think of you. Learn how to use constructive criticism to your advantage. Then, simply filter out any negative judgment.

This will leave you less anxious and less overwhelmed. As a result, you can stay more focused on yourself and the best ways to achieve your work goals.

Let’s get started.

Stop worrying about what co-workers think

Are People’s Opinions Holding You Back?

Worrying about what others think and feel about you is a normal part of our DNA. We’re programmed to seek others’ approval.

Studies show there’s a reward center that’s activated when we’re given a compliment. Even if you just sense other people’s recognition of your hard work, your brains fire up those same reward centers.

So, we feel good about ourselves when we’re accepted. Yet, we can’t always be accepted and liked by everyone at all times.

Problems start when we start pivoting our lifestyles to fit people’s expectations. We give others power over our lives and how we should live it. Consequently, we lose out on being who we truly are.

After that, things go downhill and start spiraling out of control. Being stuck in that mind frame can be destructive to you and those other members of your team.

Going down this unproductive path, you’ll be leaving a path of destruction in your wake. Your job will be affected, co-worker relationships might be sabotaged, and your self-esteem will most certainly take a hit.

How Can I Stop Worrying About What Co-Workers Think?

Do some serious soul searching. Do you feel that your reality has shifted? Have you started to believe in other associates’ version of who you are as opposed to the real you?

Then, it’s time to step up and take some actionable steps. You owe it to yourself to share the real you with the world. They don’t know what they’re missing!

We rounded some simple, yet effective, ways to help you break this vicious cycle. Read on to learn more to stop worrying about what co-workers think.

1.      Focus on What’s Important

Has someone said something unkind about you? Instead of letting it fester, don’t let it go to your head.

Chances are, that person won’t recall what they said in about ten minutes. Plus, what they say reflects who they are as a person. If you think about it, it actually has very little to do with you.

In other words, their perceptions of you come from them. And you’re not responsible for how they feel or what they think, neither can you change any of it. So, why waste your time fretting over something you have no control over?

Instead, channel that energy into something productive. You can learn a new skill, take a training class, or pick up an earlier report that showed how you successfully overcame an obstacle. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something you enjoy.

Below are some things more worthy of your time than worrying about what people think:

  • Spend quality time with mentors or workers you admire
  • Smile at one of your staff or hold the door for someone
  • Surround yourself with associates who encourage and support you
  • Volunteer at a local charity outside of your employer like a food bank
  • Take a walk through a park on your lunch break
  • Have dinner together with a workmate who has similar interests outside workbout what co-workers think
2.      Highlight Your Accomplishments

We’ve all been through difficult times in our careers; some more than others. At the same time, we’ve all accomplished some positive things.

It doesn’t have to be anything grandiose or elaborate. It just has to mean something to you, like filing your taxes on time or making a home-cooked meal from scratch. Be proud of yourself and all the hard work you put in.

You can even write down these accomplishments and hang them up in your work area or file cabinet. Then every time you catch a glimpse of one of your achievements, say to yourself, “I did that!” Continue to repeat it until your subconscious takes it in.

Another way to boost your confidence is to practice saying encouraging statements. These will help build up your self-esteem and improve the way you view yourself.

Here are a few statements to get you inspired:

  • My self-confidence is on the rise.
  • I’m worthy of the praise my boss gives me.
  • I can’t control what happens, but I can control my reaction to them.
  • My ideas are great.
  • I’m appreciative of everyone and everything in my life.
3.      Train Yourself to See the Positive

Our brains are wired to see the negative. We complain, we blame others, and we dwell. That has to stop today!

acceptance

You can train your thoughts to be more positive. But not in a deluded, naive sort of way; in a healthy, productive way. As a result, you become less anxious and more resilient.

To be honest, this works if you think more objectively, especially when it comes to your weaknesses or flaws.

We all have them. Some employees are just better at acknowledging and improving them than others. Why can’t that be you?

Write down a list of five things that bother you about yourself. Then, set some realistic goals to change them and reward yourself each time you reach one of your set goals.

Make sure you start small and work at your own pace. The point is to feel good about yourself, not overwhelm or burden you. It kind of defeats the purpose.

4.      Practice Relaxation Techniques

Some people may think this is hokey.  But relaxation techniques are becoming popular because people are realizing the importance of self-care. These techniques aim at reducing stress levels and improving your overall health. They also teach you the value of valuing the present.

When you focus on your today, you stop worrying about what happened in the past or what might happen in the future. These techniques can also help you stop worrying about what co-workers think about you.

The great thing about them is that you can do them anywhere. Whenever you start to worry, remind yourself that you could be overreacting. In all likelihood, your colleagues aren’t judging you as harshly as you think they are.

Take a few deep breaths and focus on anything around you: your coffee mug, a certificate you earned, and your clear workspace. Anything that can steer your thoughts to the present moment will do the trick!

Then, Voila, you’ll notice that your pulse is slowing down and so is your heart rate. Your anxiety will start to recede and you’ll realize you did stop worrying about what co-workers think as much anymore.

Check out these proven relaxation techniques. You can even do a couple of them as you’re reading this post.

  • Mindful meditation
  • Yoga
  • Aromatherapy
  • Guided breathing
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By the way are you sure you’re in the right job, in the right company.  Check in with Flexicrew today.

If you think you have more of the positive skills that will help you excel in other industrial jobs, then we want to hear from you.

Don't worry about what co-workers think. Flexi will honestly tell you your value

You could enjoy a very progressive and rewarding career. Now all you need is the recruiting expertise to help you channel these skills to some of the best jobs today.

Upload your resume to Flexicrew Staffing now and see where your skills could take you.

 

4 Steps to Take When You Feel Trapped in Your Job

When you feel trapped in your job, it becomes almost impossible to be satisfied. Employees who feel stuck tend to feel depressed, frustrated and dissatisfied with their career outlook.

The truth is most jobs are full of highs and lows. There will be times of positive change, and times where nothing changes at all. Feeling stuck or trapped in your job is normal at some point in your career.  But that doesn’t mean you have to stay that way.

4 steps to take when you feel trapped in your job

Here, we’ll look at some of the best things you can do when you feel stuck or trapped in your job.

1. Make That Difficult Decision

There is a reason why you feel stuck or trapped in your job, and it is often down to avoiding making a tough decision. For example, if you feel trapped in a job you hate, the tough choice would be to leave it. If you are in a company whose culture isn’t a fit, the hard choice would be to walk away.

What choice are you avoiding changing? Sometimes, the only way to move forward and be fulfilled is to have the courage to make the difficult decisions. You deserve to be satisfied with your position.  So never be afraid to do what is right for you, no matter how hard it is.

2.  Begin With Modest Changes

Making changes in your job can be overwhelming. Therefore, if you want to get out of your current situation, start with small changes until you feel comfortable and confident that you’re making good decisions.

Think about the things you want to change and then figure out the steps you’ll need to get there. Working on change one step at a time prevents it from becoming overwhelming. You will see steady progress as you make smaller changes, giving you motivation to carry on making bigger ones.

3. Work On Self-Improvement

How you feel about yourself can really hold you back. If you do feel stuck or trapped in your job, could it be down to a lack of confidence in your skill set?

Working on improving your education or your credentials or licenses could help you to view your talent in your chosen occupation in a more positive way. You will be able to recognize opportunities and work through any challenges keeping you from your ideal job. Think about your current shortcomings. What could you improve to be a better worker?

4. Commit To Being Yourself

The problem could be that you aren’t being yourself in your job. Many people find they struggle to be themselves around co-workers. If you are trying to present a narrow or pretentious version of yourself to others, you will never feel right. Only by being your true self will you be able to be fulfilled and satisfied.

Feeling stuck or trapped in your job is common, but it doesn’t mean you need to stay stuck. The above tips and advice can help you to start moving forward and possessing the job you deserve. You may feel trapped in your job, but it’s an illusion. Deep down you know what you need to do, you simply must have the courage to do it.

Conclusion

Every worker goes through changes in how they feel about their job over time. You can either accept all the good that changes in your position has to offer, or you can feel stuck.

If you choose the latter, you’ll always be feeling discontent, never fulfilled – always wondering about the path not taken. It was Gail Sheehy who said it best, “If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living.”

So, take a deep breath and make the necessary changes. Who knows? You might even come to enjoy your job in its ups and downs.

Flexicrew Support

Flexicrew identifies job opportunities for workers and talks them through the best job that matches their goals and their backgrounds.  Contact us Today to gain our support.

Adversity in the Workplace How Are You Handling It?

When we think of adversity, we think of those situations and scenarios that pose challenges or create obstacles in our lives at work and at home. As much as we would like to avoid adversity, it is a constant and ever-present force.-women-in-trades-adversity

Thus, learning how to cope with and manage adversity becomes the key to our success. While there are many ways to approach adversity, this article highlights a few key ways to handle adversity as a means of overcoming obstacles and becoming more resilient.

Open-Minded

One of the keys to learning to cope with adversity can be found in how we approach the challenges we face. Our choice to face adversity with an open versus a closed mind can make or break us in times of crisis.

An open mindset embraces the idea that adversity is something we can learn from and thus approaches the challenge looking to learn and grow. A closed mindset does not see the opportunity in adversity and instead approaches it with hesitation and perhaps even objection. This mindset often will not gain anything from any adverse experience. Meanwhile, a person with an open mind will gain perspective, understanding, knowledge, and skills than can be useful to them in future situations (Maddock, 2013).

Determination

Determination is an attitude that decides an individual will overcome whatever the challenge or hardship being experienced. This attitude is essential to overcoming adversity because it is what energizes you when the challenges continue to bear down on you.

Essentially, determination serves as your ‘why’ when you’re tempted to give up. It is this attitude that will carry you through when the going gets tough and help you make it to a point where you can overcome adversity (Tyagi, 2019).

Goal setting

Setting goals when faced with adversity is a strong strategy for helping you to overcome the adversity you face. When faced with a challenge it can seem daunting and impossible at first. But breaking down the challenge and identifying the problem allows you to set actionable steps that will help you overcome the adversity. This helps the challenging go from massive and unmanageable, to easier to navigate and handle step-by-step (Tyagi, 2019).

Support

It may be tempting to isolate yourself when faced with a challenge but surrounding yourself with support can be a valuable asset. Support offers you the tools, information, resources, or skills you need to adequately assess and address the adversity you face. Support can be in the form of other individuals who can offer emotional and physical support, or even by the provision of resources you may need to address the issue at hand. This support can help you be better prepared to face the adversity and successfully navigate it (Essential Life Skills, n.d.).

Flexibility

A final key to learning how to successfully navigate adversity is learning to adapt and adjust. Most adversity is not predictable or expected. Learning how to pivot and change on the fly when faced with a challenge helps you to better cope and ultimately become more resilient. It’s this combination of flexibility and resilience that will help you better embrace and then overcome adversity.

Adversity is a normal part of every day, so the sooner we learn to embrace and deal with it, the better our lives will be. By confronting adversity with an open mind, a flexible and determined mindset, and by setting goals and having the right sets of supports in place, you’ll put yourself in the best position to not only cope with, but also conquer any adversity you face.

References:

Essential Life Skills. (n.d.). Tips for overcoming adversity. Essential Life Skills.net. https://www.essentiallifeskills.net/overcoming-adversity.html

Maddock, M. (2013, November 26). Three ways great leaders handle great adversity. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemaddock/2013/11/26/three-ways-great-leaders-handle-great-adversity/

Patel, D. (2018). 10 ways successful people push through adversity. Entrepreneur. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/319357

If You Believe You Are a Victim You Always Will Be

Every day brings a series of small and large challenges that workers sometimes win by overcoming them and sometimes lose by failing.  Most workers adapt to these challenges and understand that these challenges help them grow in their profession  even when they fail.  But if they believe they’re a victim of circumstances, they will find themselves being the victim even when they could have succeeded.

Feeling like a victim often starts early in life and maybe triggered by trauma.  As a child, some situations may be forced on you that are unfair, difficult, or harmful.  As an adult, a series of losses can lead to feeling like you have little control.resilience (2)

Lack of control is a hallmark of feeling like a victim. Victims believe they are powerless to change, improve, or overcome obstacles.

Victims feel helpless.  They often feel trapped by circumstances and believe they aren’t capable of overcoming their situation.  These feelings can cause a person to give up on themselves, their goals, and their performance.

Psychologists agree that believing you are a victim creates a cycle where your beliefs make you a victim over and over again.

According to Psychology Today, a leading group of psychologists and researchers, the beliefs a person has directly affect how they cope with challenges. These specialists have identified certain beliefs that lead to victim behavior.

  • Why try? I never win
  • Trust no one
  • I can’t
  • Everyone else is better than me
Why try? I never win

Everyone loses sometimes. Even a sports team with a perfect season rarely has more than one perfect season in a row.  In life, just like sports, you can lose sometimes and still win the overall prize in the end.  But if you let your losses overshadow your accomplishments, you can start to believe that your wins aren’t real or substantial.  When you see life as always loosing, it’s not worth trying for anything, and what you lose is the opportunity to win.

Trust no one

Victims don’t trust anyone. They believe that everyone else is against them and out to harm them.  Even innocent slights by others are perceived as intentional hurt.  While not everyone in life is willing to accept and help you, most people don’t spend all their time trying to hurt others.  Believing that you can’t trust anyone means that you will miss out on confiding and accepting help from people that could and would support you.  Without support, you remain a victim.

I Can’t

Feeling powerless robs you of control. If you believe that you don’t have control, you may start to feel like you are a victim.  “I can’t” becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Lack of commitment to change, refusal to learn and grow, and inability to accept mistakes as part of the path to success, all make it impossible to do something positive in your position.  It’s not that you can’t; it’s that you believe you can’t, so you don’t.

Everyone else is better than me

The powerless of believing you’re a victim elevates peers and co-workers above you. When you give others more control and power than you, you always remain a victim.  Believing everyone else is smarter, stronger, and more accomplished than you keep you from trying to improve and traps you as a victim.  Until you believe in yourself, you will always be a victim.

Work can be hard at times.  It’s possible to fail during the learning process and ultimately achieve goals.  But if you believe you are a victim of life, you always will be.  Letting others have power over you and giving up your control keeps you from the opportunities work offers to grow, change, and achieve.

Assistance Hiring Resilient Workers

If you need assistance recruiting and hiring more resilient workers in these challenging times, contact Flexicrew Today.

The Victim Mentality – Life Seems Unfair

Ongoing stress or a distressful situation can lead to the victim mentality. According to Healthline, a leading internet medical information provider, some people who experience ordeal may lose their sense of control over their lives and feel helpless when confronted with changes or challenges.  They feel trapped by circumstances that they think they have no control over and give up on being able to cope with or improve their situation.

People can be victims without developing the victim mentality.  When life seems unfair, or things don’t happen the way people want them to, most people adjust, adapt, and cope with their circumstances.  They make changes to improve themselves and their situation.

victim

People with the victim mentality are unable to make positive changes that help them control their circumstances. A person with the victim mentality always considers themselves a victim and behave as if they always will be the victim.  Even when they aren’t a victim, they refuse to see the difference between their perception of victimhood and reality.

Psychologists who study people’s reactions to disturbance believe the victim mentality is an acquired personality trait.  By thinking and acting as if they are always a victim, people’s personality becomes that of a victim no matter the circumstances.  The victim mentality includes thoughts and actions that keep people trapped as a victim.

Feeling Powerless

With the victim mentality, people feel powerless and unable to cope. They can’t find solutions for their problems because they don’t believe they have any power over themselves or their circumstances.  The victim mentality creates additional situations throughout life where people feel like victims because of the perception of powerlessness.

Feeling All Problems are Disasters

For people with the victim mentality, even small problems and challenges in life are perceived as significant disasters. They become upset and unreasonable when they feel the slightest thing is out of place or not up to their standards and expectations.  Because people with the victim mentality can’t find solutions, every problem they encounter feels like it’s unfixable and unending.

Thinking Others are Purposefully Trying to Cause Harm

Have you ever confronted someone about why they didn’t acknowledge you or do something to help you only to find that they were completely unaware of the situation? It’s easy to feel slighted when you think someone hasn’t responded to your needs, but the truth is they are often so wrapped up in their own lives; they aren’t fully aware of yours.

People with the victim mentality don’t see these types of situations as unintentional.  Instead, they believe other people are always out to hurt or harm them.  Because they don’t feel like they have control over their lives, they think that any lack of acknowledgment or help is a direct affront designed to hurt them.

Feeling Singled Out for Mistreatment

The victim mentality makes people feel that they are alone in their victimhood and receive worse treatment than others in the same situation. When a negative situation affects an entire group of people, they think that it’s harder and worse for them.  They may feel that they were included in the group only to make their lives worse, not because of circumstances but because they were singled out for mistreatment.

Being Unforgiving

When a situation is someone else’s fault, a person with the victim mentality refuses to forgive a sincerely offered apology or offers to make things right.  They may fear being hurt again by the same person.  They refuse to accept that others can make mistakes without malice or specific intent to harm them.

The victim mentality is a learned personality trait that results from not coping with and processing past distress. Because a person with the victim mentality can’t cope with challenges and problems, they feel they are always the victim of circumstances or other people’s intentional mistreatment.  The victim mentality makes people unable to take control of their lives and their responses to difficulty, keeping them always feeling like a victim.

Assistance Hiring Resilient Workers

If you need assistance recruiting and hiring more resilient workers in these challenging times, contact Flexicrew Today.

Your Workplace is Unfair – Deal with it

Often a firm does things that appear unfair. What if management is paid much more than the average employee.  That creates a sense of unfairness. When one worker is promoted over other co-workers who appear more worthy, it generates feelings of unfairness. If a project that a team worked on for a long time is eliminated without a reason given, it breeds a sense of unfairness.

That feeling that the work situation is unfair leads workers to question if they are truly a valued part of a company.  This leads to dis-engagement and lower productivity.fairness

Get Over it or Get Frustrated

If your firm wants to thrive and achieve any success, your workers must learn how to shift focus from the fact that life isn’t fair to the most important thing impacting their personal success – themselves. By focusing on who they are gives them the ability to channel their power into actionable progress and ultimate success.

Develop Self-Awareness

In order to tap into their abilities, they have to know who they are. Self-awareness is a system of reflection that allows us to develop a deep understanding of our inner thoughts, feelings, desires, motivations, behaviors, and actions. It is by implementing a regular process of checking in with themselves to understand how they are thinking and feeling, what is driving their desires and motivations, and what lies behind the actions that then gives your workforce the power to make changes within themselves.

When we are empowered with the necessary information about ourselves we can begin to identify patterns in our thinking and behaviors that are not serving us and make changes to those patterns in a meaningful way that moves us forward (Waters, 2013).

Belief in Their Abilities

A belief in what your employees are capable of is essential to being able to tap into the power of who they are. When your staff understands what it is able to do, they are more likely to position themselves in situations and take chances that will result in favorable outcomes.

Self-awareness can significantly support this process by making a worker aware of her strengths, thus giving her critical information about her abilities. It is this knowledge of personal strengths that can help overcome challenges and make strides towards their goals. Research supports this by showing that those who have a high level of confidence in their abilities have a greater ability to manage stress and are more resilient in the face of trauma (Cherry, 2020).

Find Their ‘Why’

When dealing with hardships, tapping into your ‘why’ or purpose for something is often the backbone needed to offer support when things seem unfair. Finding your ‘why’ serves as motivation in the midst of the discouragement and demotivation that dealing with unfairness work can bring. It is the purpose behind why pursue a specific goal or fighting for a certain cause that will energize individuals, keep them focused, and ultimately ensures they don’t stop until they reach their ultimate target (Cherry, 2020).

Set Goals For Themselves

Setting goals is another way to focus more on self than on circumstances in a manner that is going to produce actionable results. Setting goals takes the issue at hand, analyzes it, and breaks it down in a way that makes tackling it more feasible and manageable.

This allows efforts and energy to be better invested because the goal can be conquered bit by bit. Then, as success is achieved within each of the smaller established goals, confidence is increased, and motivation is gained towards completion of the larger goal. This continues to fuel the inner drive to work until the larger goal is met, ultimately driving progress (Cherry, 2020).

While there is no way to avoid the lack of fairness that sometimes exists, spending more energy looking at the power and abilities within, your employees will be able to tap into what they need to conquer challenges and overcome adversity. It is when they recognize their inner strength that they become truly powerful and elevate their performance.

References:

Cherry, K. (2020, January). Use these 10 tips to improve your resilience. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/ways-to-become-more-resilient-2795063

Waters, B. (2013, May 21). 10 traits of emotionally resilient people. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/design-your-path/201305/10-traits-emotionally-resilient-people