As millions of people experience the impact of social distancing linked to COVID-19 security measures, the sense of isolation that accompanies teleworking begins to weigh on morale. In this time of great stress, it is good to think about all of those things that you are thankful for. In addition to being a great source of motivation for you and your team, it’s also a way to brighten up your work days.
Simple exercises
Here are the exercises we offer to express your gratitude and stay positive:
1. Think back to the challenges you had to face
To better understand the current situation, remember the difficulties you had to overcome in the past, how you handled uncertainties and the solutions put in place to be successful. How does this experience resemble your current situation? While there is uncertainty now, circumstances will change over time. It is important to stay positive and only you are in control of your thoughts.
2. Talk to your colleagues
Try to salute the efforts of your collaborators. A simple email or thank you message by instant messaging is sufficient. Some flooring stores near me have systems in place to publicly distinguish the work of their colleagues. When you thank or praise a colleague for their efforts, give a concrete example. It’s a great source of motivation. Positive feedback allows you to bond with the members of your team by reinforcing the feeling of belonging to a community; all from a distance.
3. Keep a gratitude journal
When faced with difficulties, it is easier to overlook spontaneous gestures of benevolence. Keeping a gratitude journal helps keep those precious moments in mind. Nothing better to keep morale up. As you fill in the pages, think about new exercises in positivity and caring. You can start by noting three things, more or less important, that you value in your professional life, such as the thoughtfulness of your manager or the ability to apply social distancing measures while continuing to work.
4. Keep in touch with your friends and relatives
When working, take short breaks of five to ten minutes every hour, with longer breaks of at least 30 minutes every two to four hours. Use these breaks to reach out to friends and family and express your gratitude. If you keep in constant contact with those close to you, you will be better able to express your gratitude to your colleagues.
5. Be pragmatic
Exercising gratitude takes effort and some changes in your habits. Put the odds in your favor and prepare to overcome any potential problems. Gather what you need to write your journal and above all, set aside time for yourself. Don’t hesitate to schedule reminders on your phone to take the time to relax.
6. Practice guided meditation exercises
Guided meditation can help you more easily identify and express your gratitude. During your breaks, consider practicing guided meditation exercises that will help you focus on the essentials. Five minutes of meditation is sometimes enough to better appreciate the present moment and reduce stress.
7. Compliment a colleague’s work at least once a day
Each day, remember to thank or compliment at least one member of your team. There is no better form of gratitude. You can send a group email or a message to your entire team or thank a collaborator in private. This opens up communication with your colleagues and improves remote collaboration.
8. Be diligent
Regardless of how you choose to express your gratitude, be consistent. A benevolent routine can help you face this difficult time with serenity, while managing your emotions. Establish new habits to develop your positive thinking, and follow them daily. In addition, a guided meditation at the beginning and at the end of the day is a great way to calm down. You can also take the time to fill out your gratitude journal and, why not, once the COVID-19 epidemic has passed, permanently anchor all these new habits in your daily life.
9. Share your ideas
If you see the benefits of certain gratitude exercises, don’t hesitate to share them with your team. You can send a link to the exercise in question and describe the results obtained. To guide your colleagues, give concrete examples of what you do, and how often. Share your ideas to open the dialogue and inspire your team members to communicate on their own techniques.