There has been a lot of discussion about how COVID-19 has impacted people’s performance at work. Many high-achieving business professionals who have experienced success in their career, have found it hard to focus on their business plans and goals.
Even though there appears to be light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, many people are not feeling optimistic about the future. They aren’t necessarily feeling depressed, but lack a desire and inspiration to perform well in their career and personal lives. There is a word for this emotion: It’s called languishing.
Adam Grant, an American psychologist and author, recently wrote a very popular article for the NY Times, about how languishing is affecting so many people today, and that “it might become the dominant emotion of 2021.” He says of languishing “It’s the void between depression and flourishing — the absence of well-being. You don’t have the symptoms of mental illness, but you’re not the picture of mental health either.”
Languishing can feel like you’re existing in your life, but not truly leading it. For many people, this emotion is new to them, and they’re not sure why they have it or how to move beyond it. What is clear is that the isolation from family, friends, and colleagues during COVID-19, has had a major impact on a lot of people’s mental and emotional well-being. The lingering fear of the COVID-19 virus itself, lack of job security, and not knowing what the future holds, can contribute to higher rates of anxiety, boredom, and restlessness.
Six Signs That You May Be Languishing
Lack of drive or motivation
Unfocused at work
Low optimism about the future
Feelings of emptiness
Focused on the past
Disengaged at work
How Can You Increase Your Performance?
The good news is that there are some strategies that can increase your ability to perform in your work and life. But before you take on any action steps, I encourage you to take some time to acknowledge where your mindset is currently focused today. Being mindful and self-aware can support you to become open to shifting towards a resourceful state of mind.
Create A Better Work Environment
A lack of focus is one of the largest contributors to declining performance in the workplace. Whether you’re working from home or the office, it’s important to work in a space that’s conducive to productivity. In order to maximize your performance, consider some changes that support a more productive working environment for you. Here are some examples:
Create a workspace that invites a positive mindset towards your work
Dress professionally (even if you’re working from home) to prepare yourself for a productive work day
Purchase a whiteboard and write down your business goals and tasks
Purchase some noise cancelling headphones that allow you to work uninterrupted
Create A More Efficient Daily Work Schedule
Business professionals are spending more time emailing and on video calls than ever before. Completing your daily work tasks while responding to every email and meeting request is unsustainable. Consider some of these modifications to improve your efficiency at work:
Block 60 - 90 minute time slots working uninterrupted on one task
Schedule your work day with small breaks to take a walk, hydrate, eat, and get refreshed
Build in time slots to respond to emails, and keep Zoom meetings to 30 minutes when possible
Add Healthier Habits To your Lifestyle
Leading a healthy lifestyle can improve your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Additionally, it can increase your energy levels, alertness, and happiness throughout your day. Consider adding some healthy habits to your daily routine that are easy to maintain and print them out. Here are five examples of simple healthy habits to help improve your work performance.
Wake up 20 minutes earlier each day
Drink a large glass of lemon water
Carve out 10 minutes for some exercise
Eat real food for breakfast
Take 10 minutes to set your goals for the day
*For more information about Health Coaching, click here
Consider Hiring An Expert
Another solution to increasing performance and productivity at work is to hire an expert. Not just someone you can talk to, but an experienced business coach, who can support you to increase your performance and productivity.
If you decide you’re ready to hire a business coach, search for an experienced coach who uses a brain-based coaching methodology that can empower you to create a strong vision of what you want to achieve. Whether you want to create a more effective business plan, master a skill, or increase sales revenue, a business coach can support you to create action steps that lead to sustainable results. A business coach will serve as a guide to ensure you are making progress and on track to achieving your goals.
Before you decide to invest in a business coach, answer these four questions honestly to help you decide if you’re ready to enter into a coaching relationship:
Am I ready to explore new possibilities?
Do I believe I have the solutions within me?
Am I ready to persevere through any resistance to change?
Am I ready to hold myself accountable?
If you answer yes to these questions, congratulations, you are ready to create positive changes in your career and life. To learn more about business coaching or schedule a free 20 minute consultation, click here. I can’t wait to hear from you.