This week I went for a hike with a friend who owns a company and is very business minded.
He said, “People are just done. COVID has been hard on leaders, and they’ve had to put in lots of extra effort, and they’re feeling burned out and… finished. Kaput.”
According to a recent study by Gallup, 51% of the American workforce is on the hunt for a different job! Lots of them are trying to escape a bad manager, and lots are wanting better working conditions and less stress. Maybe you can identify with them?
Read more about that here:
https://www.gallup.com/workplace/236216/tomorrow-half-company-quitting-win-back.aspx
Facing life problems
There are times when we wade into the ocean and waves lap up against our shins and thighs. These are normal life problems, paying unexpected bills, dealing with a toxic customer, solving problems with kids and their schools and so on.
And then there are times when a big wave comes, and you can’t avoid it. You can’t jump over it or dodge to the side. You just watch as it crashes down on your head, and you go under water and can’t breathe. And you’re not able to hold your breath anymore either.
Maybe you feel like that.
Time under tension
My wife does a lot of strength training, and this week she taught me a new term: Time under tension.
The idea is simple. Your muscle grows when it stays under tension for a long time. You can do quick reps and that helps and all, but real muscle growth happens when you hold the weight in place for a long time. Sometimes longer than you think you’re able to.
You do that for awhile and you emerge as a stronger, fitter person.
Could it be that the pressures of COVID are having that effect on you? That, while it has been hard, you’ve grown muscles that you didn’t know you had pre-COVID?
So, before you give up and look for an easier job, (every place has it’s poison) take stock and ask yourself if COVID and related pressure has been good for you. Maybe you’re more patient, wise, and persevering than you were a year ago.
Just saying.
Trevor Throness is a speaker, consultant, and author of “The Power of People Skills.” He is also co-founder and senior instructor at www.professionalleadershipinstitute.com https://www.professionalleadershipinstitute.com/
Find more about “The Power of People Skills” here: https://www.amazon.com/Power-People-Skills-Dramatically-Performance/dp/1632651068