The Frivolist
Mikey Rox
Staying motivated at work when the chips are down isnβt easy. You feel deflated, like a failure, maybe even afraid youβll lose your job. The first thing to remember, however, is that none of us are perfect and all of us make mistakes. The second thing is that you can turn the situation around. Take a look at these eight ways to keep moving ahead when nothing seems to be going right to get back on the path to success.
Read some of the hardship stories of successful people
One of my favorite TV shows is ABCβs βShark Tank.β As an entrepreneur myself, Iβm drawn to other entrepreneurs, and Iβm often in awe of the brilliant businessmen and women who enter the tank hoping for a deal. I enjoy hearing about the journey that led them to the biggest meeting of their lives, many of which, as they relay it to the sharks, veer off the course they set for themselves. Yet there they are, standing in front of dealmakers, heads held high, eagerly anticipating a partner that could one day make them rich.
Their stories are a dime a dozen. Every person has their own tale of hardship at some point in their life, and it can be helpful when youβre feeling down to tap into those anecdotes not only for comfort but also perhaps solutions to your problems. You may not find an answer per se, but itβs certainly comforting to know that youβre not alone β and that things will get better. If you donβt have entrepreneurs in your circle that can offer their advice, the internet is full of from-the-bottom-up stories to help get your head back in the game.
Adjust your goals to put achievement within reach
I write about goal setting on a regular basis, and the biggest hurdle I see among people who fail frequently or who feel like failures often is that theyβve set their bars of achievement so high that itβs nearly impossible to reach them. Youβll end up disappointed more often than not if your goals are too lofty, which may mean that you need to reflect on them and adjust as necessary. Furthermore, itβs been proven time and again that setting small, achievable goals as opposed to wide-ranging ones often leads to success and increased motivation. Who doesnβt like ticking off a box on their to-do list? Break your goals down so theyβre humanly possible to achieve, and youβll start to see the positive results almost immediately.
Step away from the stress to clear your head
You canβt run when things go wrong, but there are plenty of other ways you can effectively set whateverβs weighing on your mind to the side so you can refresh. For some, that may be exercise; for others, it may be after-work drinks with friends. Wherever your safe space is located, go to it, de-stress, and revisit your issue with a rational point of view to get back on the straight and narrow.
Recognize that you canβt control everything, and thatβs OK
Iβm a perfectionist and a control freak, which can wreak havoc on my motivation when life goes wrong. I want to lie in bed, pull the covers over my head, and pretend that none of the problems exist. Meanwhile, the truth of the matter is, theyβre continuing to pile up as I ignore them, exacerbating the problem further. So I have remind myself every now and then that I canβt be the master of all things. Some things are out of my control β and thatβs all right.
Donβt be too proud to ask for help
I prefer to work alone. Not so I can take all the glory, but rather so others donβt slow me down. I work at my own pace, which is rather quick sometimes, and I donβt like having to accommodate someone elseβs speed. Of course, there are times when I need help with something, and Iβm not too proud to ask for it. Oneβs preference to avoid asking for help probably stems back to those childhood vacations in the car when your family got lost and your dad absolutely was not asking anybody for directions, ever, no matter what. But if youβre in a bind that requires a second set of eyes or hands, ask for the help. Recognizing that you canβt do it all isnβt a sign of failure, but rather success β especially when the alternative without the help might be failure anyway.
Keep your head up and look toward the future
Itβs hard to keep your eyes on the prize when a setback derails your progress, but donβt let it zap your motivation completely. Remember why it is youβre doing whatever youβre doing and remind yourself that itβs worthwhile, even through the hard times. Maybe you can revisit the beginning of the project when things were going according to plan, or perhaps check into your vision board for that extra oomph. However you want to do it, find the positive in what youβre doing and refocus your sights on the outcome.
βMikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He spends his time writing from the beach with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @mikeyrox.
Graphic by www.CanStockPhoto.