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

Attack Work-Related Stress – 7 Ways

Important Question

Are stresses on the job holding back your performance? Do you know how to attack work-related stress?

Learn how to attack work-related stress

 

Sometimes, without warning, suddenly you become immobile in the middle of a work assignment or a project. You don’t where it came from or know what to do or how to move ahead. Your mind is locked tight and thoughts circle the drain, anticipating your inevitable defeat. It’s simply a matter of time until your co-workers and your supervisor realize you have failed and toss around blame.

Attack work-related stress before blames you for failure

Stress has a way of wrecking everything about your workday. Being in the moment and aware of what you are doing, and not overwhelmed by what’s going on around you though, can be a quick, easy way to get things back on track.

7 Ways to Attack Work-Related Stress

Below are 7 suggested ways to attack work-related stress and put some space between you and your reactions by analyzing and interrupting your feeling of stress.

  1. Stay in the Moment
  2. Find Your Emotions
  3. Attack Your Stress with Normalcy
  4. Look for Patterns
  5. Redirect Your Focus
  6. Allow Your Emotions to Take their Course
  7. Reverse Your Approach
Review Each Way to Attack Work-related Stress

Let us review each of the 7 actionable strategies to attack work-related stress to see if you can conquer some of the concerns that may hold back your performance, your health, or even your career.

1. Stay in the Moment

You begin by taking a step back to examine the stressful thought, starting with the acceptance of the thought itself. This is the foundation of being aware. Trying to ignore the stress only diminishes your ability to deal with the situation. By giving the thought your attention, and then placing a label on it, you diminish the control it has over you and you begin to  power away from it. For example, if you are worried about how your performance will affect your appraisal and whether you will receive a raise, you might start by telling yourself, “Yes, I am worried about how my boss perceives my value and whether that will hold back my career.”

2. Find Your Emotions

Once you have labeled your worries, identify the emotion accompanying them. Once you have got this, ask yourself candidly, what do your emotions make you feel like doing?

3. Attack Your Stress with Normalcy

Instead of avoiding the worry, pay mindful attention to it and remind yourself this worry is normal. Do this every time it comes up. Eventually, it will seem less threatening.

4. Look for Patterns

Do these worries creep up at certain times? Using mindfulness means you’re paying attention to your thoughts in the moment. Understanding your triggers is a great way to keep the worrying thought from happening at all, as you’ll find yourself catching those damaging thoughts much faster and will be able to shut them down that much faster.

5. Redirect Your Focus

With mindfulness, you are very much aware of the stresses as soon as they begin. This also means you’re capable of taking control of those thoughts and redirect them toward something else immediately, putting your attention there instead.

6. Allow Your Emotions to Take their Course

Stress comes with a hatful of negative emotions. Mindfulness means you’re aware of what you’re feeling right now. If you discover yourself succumbing io fear and anxiety coupled with worry, let these emotions occur naturally.  Watch them as if from a distance, as it were.  Rather than try to smother them, allow them to dissipate naturally rather than intensify by trying to fight them off.

7. Reverse Your Approach

Worried about taking on a new project or moving to a higher profile position? Rather than avoid it, try it anyway. By reacting with positive activity to worries you know are irrational, more frequently than not, you will discover you really had nothing to stress about in the first place. A word of caution? Sometimes worry is there for a good reason. Be careful which stresses you challenge.

Conclusion

Remember, the whole point of being conscious of your actions and reactions when you feel frozen is to be in the moment and pay very close attention to what’s going on both internally and externally. Stress really does not bear up under such close scrutiny. The act of simply paying attention will change your situation and reaction meaningly.

Flexicrew Support

Do not let the strain to fill an important position or difficulty of finding qualified workers be one of your work pressures.

Flexicrew supports employees to attack work-related stress

If you need help planning for your balanced workforce this year, let Flexicrew help. Test us and see if we can attack work-related stress with a flexible workforce model.

 

 

Accountability Partners Help Co-Workers

Introduction

Accountability partners help co-workers in a different way than mentors

Accountability partners help co-workers and vice-versa. They are a terrific way to challenge yourself and let go of excuses. With an accountability partner collaborating with you it is more difficult to ignore your goals because you do not feel like completing a task or taking the next step. When you have an accountability partner you must ‘report to’ weekly or some other consistent basis, you work harder to stay on-track since you do not want to let your accountability partner down.

On the other hand, a mentor is someone who has experience and is a trusted advisor who should advise, guide, and support you in achieving your planned actions to attain your business goals. An accountability partner is someone with a focus on helping you rather than teaching you. An accountability partner should hold you accountable to your own goals.

Accountability Partners Help Co-Workers in Various Ways

Accountability partners help co-workers celebrate success

But keeping track of each other’s goals and applauding successes is not the only way. It is not the only thing that you and your accountability partners help co-workers working together. There are many ways that work associates or small business owners can help each other besides accountability and we mention 4 ways below:

  1. Brainstorming
  2. Evaluate Your Approach
  3. Creating ‘Joint Ventures’
  4. Promote Their Products
1. Accountability Partners Help Co-Workers with Brainstorming

Accountability partners help co-workers with brainstorming

Have you ever had an idea for a great project, but you just could not find a name that captured it perfectly? With an accountability partner, you can try brainstorming to produce a title that you love. Of course, your accountability partner can help you brainstorm many things besides a project name. Together, you can brainstorm ideas, strategies, etc. But remember, primarily, an accountability partner is a business peer who helps you grow by offering guidance and holding you to your commitments. While it is like a mentor relationship, both partners work to improve themselves or their business with the feedback and support of each other.

 2 Accountability Partners Help Co-Workers Evaluate Your Approach

Nothing is quite as scary as design and development of a new product, and no one understands that uncertainty and discomfort like another program manager or small businessperson. One of the ways that accountability partners can help each other is by evaluating your approach before you officially begin a project. For example, if you set up a new website, you will want someone to assess it for you.

Your accountability partner can help by evaluating your ideas and timeline and sharing their honest feedback. Your partner might tell you that your plan is faulty or point out an area where you are missing critical skills. By testing project plans and schedules for each other, you and your partner are making your outcome even better for your team and your management.

3. Accountability Partners Help Co-Workers by Creating ‘Joint Ventures’

If you have an accountability partner that you have clicked with, then it might be time to take the next step together forming an informal ‘joint venture.’ This approach works well when you have two partners that are bringing different skillsets to the table. For example, if you are experienced and proficient at HR processes and systems and your accountability partner offers IT and software complementary experience, then you could team up to initiate a new HR productivity routine that tracks and speeds up your organization’s candidate screening and recruiting activity.

4. Accountability Partners Help Co-Workers Promote Their Products

Small business accountability partners can promote each other’s products. This allows you to introduce your customers to your partner’s products or services and vice versa. Be sure to let your customers know that since you have already been accountability partners, you can vouch for their ethics and excellent customer service.

Wrap-up

If you have been accountability partners with another worker or small business owner and you have found you enjoy working together, consider other ways you could support each other. Start by having an honest conversation with your partner and telling them how you would like to further your working relationship seeing how you as accountability partners help co-workers successfully in the past.

Flexicrew Support

Flexicrew has advised many HR recruiters and functional hiring managers on successful recruiting methods for finding the right candidates. That reduced the chance of their making the most common recruiting mistakes.

If you would like support in recruiting your next new hire, please contact one of our professional recruiters who have many years’ experience in staffing.

Always be Leading – 10 Must Traits On and Off Duty

Introduction

Do you believe that you must always be leading both when on-duty and off-duty?

Explanation

Always be leading on and off duty

Being a leader isn’t something you put on and remove like a shirt. Leadership skills and operating from a leadership perspective is something leaders do on and off duty. That’s because the skill sets that make a great business leader also make for great…

  • Spouses
  • Parents
  • Community partners
  • Volunteers

AND

Areas Where Leaders Will Always be Leading

Great leaders don’t go to work and put on their leadership hats only to take them off when they leave.  Truly great leaders lead in all that they do. They lead by how they…

  • Solve problems
  • Approach conflict
  • Prioritize their schedule
  • Treat subordinates and other people in their lives with respect

And…

  • Considerably more!
Leadership Success

Great leaders succeed in their leadership because their leadership skills are engrained in their everyday life. How you see them when they lead is also how you’ll see them when they’re behind closed doors.

In the truest sense, everyone is a leader one way or another. Your title might not officially place you in a leadership role, but you are leading. Whether it’s leading your family, friends, or a small group of people volunteering in the community, you are leading. Taking on a leadership mindset to always be leading on and off duty can help you be a more effective work leader.  That’s the type of leader that people willingly and enthusiastically follow.

Monitoring Leadership Behaviors

It’s important to realize that people are always watching, and in doing so they are evaluating one another’s leadership skills.  Based on these observations, workers will get behind the managers or even coworkers who are leading the way. People feel comfortable with others who are confident, considerate, and consistent in their behavior and their attitude.

Not all leaders desire to lead. Some people are placed in situations where they are required to lead despite their preference to blend into the crowd. Leadership is important though, and having the courage to lead…even when you don’t want to…is important too. Sometimes you’ve got to take the reins and do what’s best for the situation.

Whether you plan to lead or find yourself leading unexpectedly, you may well be  thrust into a leadership role at some point. Everyone is leading somehow and making things better for others in the process. Be cognizant of the importance of leadership and having a leadership mindset whether you are at work, at home, or in the community. Be aware of your impact on others and be sure that your leadership style is motivating and encouraging so you aren’t overrunning others or making them feel inadequate. The best leaders consistently make those they lead feel empowered and capable of whatever tasks need to be done.  In other words, they will always be leading whether on-duty or off-duty.

How to Become a Great Leader

So how do you become a great leader who will always be leading?

Leadership Traits

Always be leading to inspire subordinates

It’s certainly not always easy to be a leader, one who will always be leading.  But it is essential. Here we share with you the 10 traits of great leaders.

1: They are Inspirational

2: They Set Goals for Their Teams

3: They Manage their Time Wisely

4: They Motivate Others

5: They Encourage Creativity in Others

6: They Give Feedback Constructively

7: They Communicate Clearly and Openly

8: They Build Relationships with People on Their Teams

9: They Lead by Example

10: They Delegate Responsibility When Needed

Being a leader isn’t always easy, but it is essential. These are 10 traits that every good leader should have.

Summing Up
In conclusion, being a leader is not something that can be switched on and off. It is an ongoing way of living and behaving. Leaders are always learning and growing, and they never stop working to improve their skills. Those who aspire to be leaders should keep these things in mind, and continue to work on becoming the best leaders they can be.
Of course, while it is important to be a leader both on and off-duty, it is also necessary to be able to switch off from work and relax. It is essential to have a good work-life balance in order to be effective when always leading at work.

Self-Limiting Beliefs Derail Your Career

Avoid self-limiting beliefs and Get motivated quickly with a can-do attitude
Introduction

Self-limiting beliefs derail your career.  Yes, indeed.  Self-limiting beliefs can alter your thoughts and ideas at any moment and can affect the way you work.  It is important to recognize that we keep thinking the same thoughts over and over again.  We do this until they become so ingrained in our subconscious mind that we are not aware of them. Yet, we can alter these false beliefs, like any other habit.  This is excellent news!  By doing this internal work, you will alter your work performance and productivity for the better as a result.

5 Steps to Shift Your Limiting Beliefs About Your Performance for Good

Don't let self-limiting beliefs derail your career

Don’t let your self-limiting beliefs derail your career.  How are you your own worst enemy? We limit ourselves so much. We live in our heads and we create all these ways to prevent getting anything accomplished. Even though deep down we know we’re good enough, and how much we’re fully capable of getting things done.

How to Correct Your Belief in Your Performance

The only way to get past these self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors is to take active, intentional steps to remedy your thinking.

5 Steps to Shift Your Limiting Beliefs for Good

Let’s look at 5 steps that will shift your limiting beliefs for good and don’t let self-limiting beliefs derail your career.

1. Stop

Wait a minute; what were you thinking? If a thought feels off about something, it’s time to stop and examine this idea much closer. Is this perhaps a self-limiting belief?

Self-limiting beliefs can derail your career

2. Think About What You’re Saying

Where is the inaccuracy in this thought? You’ve already figured out there’s something wrong with it, or you wouldn’t be going through this process. This means something about it is not ringing true. When you understand where the “invention” is, it becomes easier to know how to counter it.

3. Look for the Proof

Is there any proof this self-limiting thought is true? Let’s examine the part you feel is not correct. Here’s where you need to take a step back from the situation if you can and look very impartially at what’s going on. Is any grain of truth in what you’re thinking?

4. Take Control

If what you were thinking is misinformation, it’s relatively easy to counter the false aspects of the belief with the truth. But what if this thought was at least partially true? You start by reminding yourself this isn’t always the case. For example, you might be thinking you are always late for work. Maybe you’re, in fact, behind-schedule sometimes. To perform this step, you would need to recall various instances when you were on time. By countering the partial truth, you are taking control of the situation.  And you are not allowing the self-limiting beliefs derail your career or to have any sway over you.

5. Get Help

Sometimes it can be challenging for you alone to remove self-limiting beliefs that derail your career. In these instances, you will benefit to talk to a co-worker, a supervisor, or even a counselor, to help you see the reality. There is nothing wrong with getting help, especially from someone who is in a position to be impartial.

Remember

Self-limiting beliefs and thought patterns

Your mind is a collection of thought patterns that you can alter at any time, if you comprehend that they are essentially habits. You may think about them as mental routines, as they are habituated notions that we think about over and over again until they become ingrained in our subconscious mind. Changing any bad thinking habits is feasible, and with this deeper internal work, your external world will adjust because you will be addressing the root of the issue.

Beliefs are simply thought patterns that are unique to you and you can alter them at any moment. By recognizing this, you can change your habits. On the one hand, we keep certain thoughts and stories in our subconscious mind over and over again until they are so deeply ingrained that we are unaware of them. But, the great news is that you will see your external world change as a result of doing this inner work because you will get to the heart of the problem.

Summary

Shift self-limiting beliefs that sabotage your career

Self-limiting beliefs don’t have to control your job performance.   Your wrong subconscious beliefs about your work performance shouldn’t derail your career. So, by examining your thoughts, especially those that seem to hold back your work performance, you will find it much easier to move forward toward your career goals. That will allow you to strive for and realize the success you deserve.

 

 

 

 

Getting Motivated Quickly – 4 Keys

Introduction

Having trouble getting motivated quickly at work?  This article will show you 4 simple keys for getting motivated quickly when you just cannot seem to be more productive on the job.

Get motivated quickly with a can-do attitude

 Motivation Research

The term “motivation” is commonly used in ordinary speech to express why someone does something. It is the force that propels human behavior. According to a study by Washington University, “Most people readily acknowledge that motivation is the desire to do something but is it that simple? While motivation can start with a mere thought or verbalization, it must be followed by visible action—and anchored by a clear vision. The natural, psychological, interpersonal, and intellectual elements that trigger behavior are all motivation. Without these things, the thoughts and words tied to a desire for change remain empty and powerless.”

Workers’ drive and willpower fluctuates for a variety of reasons. At times, you may feel energized and motivated to attain your objectives.  But you may also feel unmotivated or unclear of what you want or how to get it. Even if you aren’t feeling very motivated, you may take measures for getting motivated quickly.

Keys for Getting Motivated Quickly

Get motivated quickly

Interested in some approaches for getting motivated quickly at work?  Among the things you can undertake are the following:

1. Just Get Started

You do not need to wait for motivation to begin. If you want to work consistently every day, you’ll have to get started sooner or later. And the odd thing is that once you’ve been working for a bit, things become simpler and more enjoyable, and your motivation returns.

Most of the time, procrastination results from having too much on your plate and not knowing where to begin. It’s difficult not to feel this way when you attempt to address it all at once: but when you concentrate on one or two things at a time, it’s simpler to stay motivated and not feel so burdened. The next thing you know, your entire list is completed, and you’re out for some entertainment.

2. Start Small and Slow Build-Up

Avoiding procrastination

Don’t let the size or difficulty of a project or assignment cause you to procrastinate. Try to narrow it down somewhat into more manageable stages.  For example, you might send that email during a break. Or you could start an activity and promise yourself you will only work on it for 5 minutes.  Attack a stage of a project starting with the one you have accomplished successfully on a different project.

3. Minimize Your Daily Workplace Distractions

It’s difficult to concentrate when there are so many distractions all around you in your workplace. As a result, close the door (if you have one) to your workplace. At the opposite end of your work area, put your phone on silent mode. Also, use a browser plugin like StayFocusd to keep oneself on track.

4. Take Periodic Work Breaks

The distinction between being sluggish versus resting is significant. Laziness serves no proper function. Rest and relaxation are essential for consistent work productivity.  It clears your thoughts so you can focus on your near-term assignments and longer-term job and career goals.

Perhaps you’ve been working on a project for far too long and are exhausted. Try sleeping on it for a while. Allow yourself some time to back off the problem and relax. Rest is necessary for our bodies and minds to perform at their best.

Summary

Getting motivated quickly in your job is a big deal.  It can make or break your productivity. But there are many things that can work against you when trying to stay motivated. The first thing to understand is that motivation is different for everyone. It’s not about being more motivated than other people – it’s about feeling motivated in the moment. So the key is to figure out what triggers your motivation and figure out a way to keep that going.

We described the 4 keys for getting motivated quickly in this article.  Here are some other considerations:

1) Set an intention – setting yourself an intention to be more productive can help you feel more confident, which in turn makes you more inclined to work harder. 2) Be realistic – knowing exactly what work assignments need to get done is crucial, especially while starting out. 3) Reward yourself – this can mean anything from a relaxing walk around the block to a cup of coffee.  But it’s important to find something that works for you so you don’t lose sight of your goal. 4) Keep moving forward.  Even if you’re not feeling fully motivated at the time, just keep pushing through at work and eventually you’ll start seeing results!

How To Beat Remote Work Isolation

Most of us have become accustomed to commuting to a work site surrounded by co-workers. Remote work is something new to most workers. Yet, we are fundamentally social beings.  So extended remote work isolation has affected many workers if we’re working at home for an extended period.  We can’t help feeling isolated. Isolation blues have become common, and it’s not something to simply ignore.

Beat remote work isolation

Cures for Remote Work Isolation

As you spend long hours and work from home, you need to take care of your mental health.

As much as I was happy to “get away” from my officemates,

I realized that I relied on colleagues to keep my mental health in check. Panion.com

Here are 7 tips to beat remote work isolation blues:

1. Step Outside Periodically

 Don’t stay cooped up inside your home. Step outside to get some fresh air and much-needed sunlight. If you have a garden, that’s great. If not, you can practice social distancing and other safety measures so you can take a walk at a local park or around your neighborhood. It’s even better if your location is surrounded by greenery and nature views, which can help relieve stress and loneliness.

Get outside to beat remote work isolation

 2. Reconnect With Co-Workers

 While staying at home, it’s a good time to catch up with friends from work or your boss.  Reconnect with those you haven’t seen for a long time. While you may not be able to invite them for a cup of coffee face to face, a lot of employees are setting virtual meetups to chat with peers outside the normal work day. If you can do Zoom calls for work meetings, why not try it to keep in touch with team members to socialize? It can be more fun than you expect.

How to beat remote work isolation blues

What’s good about being online these days is that you can reach associates from miles away that you haven’t talked to for a while. Many of them are also most likely at home and craving social connections.

 3. Maintain a Routine

 Being out of the workplace and staying at home may have thrown you off your routine. To beat remote work isolation blues, you should create a new routine and stick to it. That will help retain some sense of normalcy. Get up at the same time in the morning, preferably the same time that you woke up for work before the pandemic.

Plan your day and eat your meals on time. If you live with your family, having a routine helps everyone to know what’s going on.

4. Move, Move, Move

 Don’t forget to get your body moving. Be physically active as much as you can. Exercise will give you an energy boost and improve your mood.  That will help beat isolation and maintain your productivity.

Physical movement beats remote work isolation

For example, a neighbor of mine walks her dog several times per day for 10-minutes.  She does it at the same times each day.  That keeps her moving and maintains her routine. Even doing house chores is good while on work conference calls.. If you’re up to it, you can also join online fitness classes. You could also walk around your local area early in the morning before work begins.

5. Write a Journal or Letter

Get your thoughts out by journaling. You can journal about the things you’re grateful for, which will bring optimism and good vibes. When you focus on the good things that happen in your life, it boosts your mood and makes you less isolated.

Letter writing has also been revived during the pandemic. Why not send your prospects, customers or other employees a postcard to let them know that you’re thinking about them? Handwritten letters and postcards help promote deeper relationships.

6. Learn Something New

Sometimes you feel neglected when you’re bored. Find something to do to keep your mind busy. Learn a new skill or do a pursuit you’ve always wanted to do. Try to attend webinars, read blogs, or take an online course to boost your work skills.

When you’re doing something that you enjoy, you don’t notice how slow the time goes by, and you don’t have time to dwell on depressing thoughts.

7. Get Quality Sleep

Getting enough sleep (or not enough) affects your mood, so it’s important to have a healthy bedtime routine. When you don’t get a good night’s sleep, you don’t feel rested. You’ll wake up feeling more tired, and it makes you more vulnerable to stress or even illness. Sleep heals your body and keeps your mental well-being in shape.

beat remote work isolation

Wrapping Up

 Spending time working virtual doesn’t have to be dull and boring. Don’t let remote work isolation beat you. Instead, make conscious efforts to focus on bringing positivity to your situation. Use the time to reconnect with your friends, learn something new, and get your body physically active. Stick to a routine, and know that a feeling of isolation is only temporary. The situation will certainly improve or you will become accustomed to this new paradigm, so hang in there.

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

 

Why You Should Actively Enhance Your Attitude in a New Job

Should you actively enhance your attitude in a new job for greater success?  There are many reasons why you should actively enhance your attitude in a new job. The most obvious ones are to feel better about yourself, improve your work performance and become a valued employee while coming up to speed faster.

Other reasons are probably not as obvious to you. Although, they’re pretty obvious to your mental and physical health.

Let’s talk about some of the reasons why you should actively enhance your attitude in a new job  and how that will influence everything that goes on in that new job.

Improve Your Mental Health

Your mental wellness affects your thoughts, feelings, and behavior toward co-workers and your supervisor. It helps reduce stress, as well as helps you cope with challenges and setbacks of a new workplace with all new relationships and processes.

Having strong mental health doesn’t mean the absence of anxiety, fears, and worries. Going through difficult times is a natural part of living.

Yet, when you’re in good shape mentally and emotionally, you bounce back faster. You have the tools needed to face all these things head-on with confidence and resilience.

Being resilient means you stay flexible and focused when work throws you a curveball. You have confidence in your abilities to deal with whatever the new environment has in store.

Actively Enhance Your Attitude in a New Job Building a Resilience Mindset

Additional Benefits When You Actively Enhance Your Attitude in a New Job

Here are some extra perks that come when you actively enhance your attitude in a new job and boost your mental wellbeing and improve your attitude:

  • Your sense of contentment grows with your new job in general  (little buyer’s remorse)
  • You maintain a big dose of self-esteem and confidence that you can accomplish your new responsibilities
  • Opportunities present themselves that you feel you can achieve to help your new employer
  • You enjoy working and can laugh at yourself when you have a mishap
  • Balance work and play
  • You easily build healthy relationships with associates who can help you ‘learn the ropes.’
Brush Up on Your Social Skills

We’re social creatures. We thrive when we feel connected to others.

This doesn’t mean we have to be surrounded by other personnel all throughout every day. Clearly you will need alone-time to achieve some assignments.  It just means that our brains crave companionship in varying degrees.

Yes, you can always call or text as relationship builders. They certainly have their place and time in our busy, hectic lives.

Still, nothing beats the mood-boosting power of sitting down at lunch with teammates or even workers from other parts of the new company. That quality face-to-face time is priceless.

You sit, you talk, and you listen — pretty basic right? But for your brain, it’s revolutionary!

Here’s why: studies show that our brains are wired for connectivity. Certain areas of our brains light up when we do spend some time with a teammate or volunteering to work on a group project that could use some extra assistance.

Not only that, but the brain rewards us for being socially outgoing. It does so by signaling the release of two happy hormones, oxytocin, and serotonin. So, by being out with your boss, colleagues, or friends, you’re actively seeking ways to improve your attitude.

You should also make the most of those fleeting encounters you have with strangers each day. Make a point of looking your neighbor in the eye as you wish them a good day.  Same goes for a receptionist or security guard or COVID-19 tester.

Look up from what you’re doing and take a couple of seconds to thank the barista or the cashier. You can even add a smile to go with it.

Despite taking mere seconds out of your day, those little acts of interaction or pleasantry are terrific mood boosters. They’ll do wonders for your day and theirs!

Remain Fit

The link between the mind and body is complementary. When you take care of your physical health, you’re nourishing your mental well-being.

Anytime you exercise for at least 20 minutes, your brain releases endorphins. These are one of the four happy chemicals that help stabilize your attitude and boost energy levels.

Regular physical activity also has a big impact on your memory and concentration. Plus, it relieves stress and promotes better sleep.

The trick is to find an activity you like and do it several times a week. Take a short walk over lunch hour, cycle to work, throw a Frisbee with your dog—the point is to enjoy what you’re doing.

Better still, find a group of contacts and be active in a group. This will hold you accountable, boost your motivation, and improve your attitude.

Regulate Stress Levels

Almost everyone on the planet knows by now that stress is a major problem. It affects our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

We also know that stress can’t be avoided, especially in this busy day and age. However, certain stress management strategies can help regulate stress in your life.actively enhance your attitude in a new job lowers employee workplace stress

These tactics allow you to cope with work’s ups and downs. They allow you to improve your attitude, feel good about yourself and perform better.

Here are some things you can do to reduce your stress:
  • Enhance the quality of your sleep
  • Eat mood-enhancing foods, such as fresh fruits, fatty fish, nuts, avocados, and beans
  • Practice relaxation techniques, like mindful meditation, yoga, and deep breathing
  • Make time for yourself and do something you enjoy.  I used to take a short drive alongside the Pacific when an assignment had me stressed out.  That always worked for me
  • Find somewhere to sit at a local park and soak in some sunshine
  • Laugh more
Flexicrew Support

You may have heard the expression, “Hire for attitude.  Train for skills.”  Many of our trained Account Managers will explain that employers don’t believe they can teach ‘Go-Get=Em’ attitude, but someone with the right attitude will quickly develop the aptitude on the job.  Talk to one of Flexicrew’s professional recruiters and take advantage of their broad experience or just get some feedback on your current work situation.  Call us Today.