Living with Uncertainty
Written by: Natalie Komitsky
Managing a job, home, and family can be a challenge. But when life gets turned upside down, it’s not uncommon for everyday frustrations to become serious points of friction. When we deal with one issue after another, our ability to tolerate frustration diminishes, and the likelihood that we experience miscommunication and conflict increases. During this time, as we face uncertainty about the future, we must hold onto the few constants that we do have.
Draw on Your Strengths
Each of us has a set of skills, knowledge, and personality traits that drive our personal and professional successes. Remind yourself of those characteristics and use them to impact your work and provide support for those around you.
Seek First to Understand
When life is off-kilter, the chance for misunderstandings increases. Give your coworkers, colleagues, supervisors, and subordinates your undivided attention while you are interacting. Listen closely and confirm that you correctly understand what is being said. This extra effort can help avoid potential conflicts and help you focus your attention in the right direction.
Keep Your Priorities Straight
While examining your priorities, consider which tasks will have the greatest impact, which will require the most time and focus, and which will require input from others, and when each of them must be complete. Be clear about your expectations, but stay flexible. Having a plan is good, but having a flexible plan is better.
Get Creative
Working from home with kids, pets, parents, and significant others can be very challenging, especially when this was not part of the plan. Find creative ways to make it work for you. Think about areas of your home that may be more conducive to quiet focus time or conference calls. Build periodic breaks into your schedule to allow time for interacting with your family. Sit outside and enjoy the sunshine when the weather is nice. Take advantage of this opportunity and enjoy the options you do not have under normal circumstances.
Celebrate Your Successes
When you overcome a challenge, solve a problem, or achieve an objective, share your experience. Understanding how you were able to be successful, despite sub-optimal circumstances, can be very valuable to your team and your colleagues as they navigate obstacles and challenges.
Have an Open Mind
You may have been accustomed to a comfortable routine, but it is good to keep your options open. Necessity can be a powerful motivator. Expect to be asked to do things that are outside of your comfort zone. Ponder ways to solve problems that arise. During times of uncertainty, we all must be ready to assist in new ways.
Stay Connected
Although you may not be rubbing elbows with anyone these days, you still have numerous ways of staying connected with friends, family, colleagues, and coworkers. Take a few moments each day to check in with people in your personal and professional circles. They will appreciate the fact that you made the effort which will make you feel good too.
We Applaud Your Contribution
Everyone at Management Concepts stands behind our Federal Employees as we weather the pandemic together. Please follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, state and local governments to stay safe and help us minimize the long-term impact on our communities.
To help you make the most of your time, we have undertaken a huge initiative, increasing the number of courses offered virtually to more than 80% of courses so far. Take care, and we hope to see you in a virtual classroom soon.
