Keeping a positive attitude in a recession can be difficult, but with a few tips from Joel Zeff, you’ll stay more focused, productive and be happier, even during an economic recession.
Joel Zeff is a nationally renowned corporate culture, leadership and communication expert and the author of Make The Right Choice, a guide to creating a perpetually positive attitude that creates success.
The following is an excerpt from an article that has been published in numerous online and print formats. To read the entire article, or for more effective ultra-productivity and work-life-balance tips, visit Joel’s blog.
Keeping a positive attitude in a recession is not only possible, but is necessary to assure workers around you and attract success that positivity demands. In the process, you can reduce your stress and help create a more productive, innovative and fun work environment. First, you must create a foundation so that fun can exist. Here are twelve simple ideas to reduce your stress, help motivate your employees and create a foundation to have more fun.
1. Be patient and positive in your tone of voice. Sounds simple, but a reassuring and patient tone in your voice will do wonders for teamwork and for helping reduce stress. You will rarely see a stressed, impatient person having fun. Watch people stand in line at the airport. The guy in the suit with three carry on bags and a phone hooked into the Matrix is not having fun. The guy in the Hawaiian shirt and hat made from palm reeds is relaxed and having fun. Same standing in line. Different attitude. As a manager, your employees will take their cues from you. If you are stressed and worried, they will be stressed and worried. Have a positive attitude. Be happy. Be the guy that brings blueberry muffins to work.
2. Take a break. Again, a simple idea but something that has very real results. Ever try and assemble something from the store? Ever get frustrated? Ever throw the directions across the room in frustration? Stop, take a break, and then reassess. Just a few moments away will give you the energy to move forward. Your employees need a break just like you. Take a minute out of the day and recognize a manager or employee for having fun and creating spirit. Give them a funny spirit trophy. As a surprise, take five minutes and have everyone walk around the building. Even a break that lasts only a minute will refresh our minds and give us the energy and motivation to take on the next task.
3. Think about what makes a great day at work. The next time you have fun at work, take a moment to reflect. Write down what happened that made the day so great. What did you do? What did you say? You now have your “great day” list. You know what you need. Work toward it. Fun is different for everyone. Remember the kid in your high school algebra class who got really excited when he solved a complex math problem? That is fun for him. For me, math is the equivalent of jury duty, going to the dentist, and cleaning the garage all in the same day. Take a few moments each day, gather your team, and ask your employees to share something on their “fun” list. Not only will the group enjoy the experience, but will gain appreciation for each other.
To read the 9 other steps to keeping a positive attitude in a recession outlined in this article, visit Joel’s blog at http://www.maketherightchoicethebook.blogspot.com/.
Joel Zeff is a national workplace expert, speaker and humorist. His first book, Make the Right Choice, provides excellent advice for keeping a positive attitude in a recession. For more information on his book or speaking engagements, call or fill out the form below.
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