I am still fortunate that despite the recession, our company has maintained its staff. Although it is difficult to work with 400x as much load as you previously had, we cannot complain. This is the time where employees are being squeezed dry to the limits because the employer can always give you the "take-it or leave-it" approach. And if you are one of the millions who have bank obligations to settle, you have no choice but to keep mum and just bear and grin it (for the time being...).
Unfortunately, it is also difficult to maintain one's sanity when you work in a place when no one even bothers to motivate and look after you. I have that misfortune. So, I am sharing some few tips (and tricks) to those who are in a similar boat as I am.
1. Be positive.
Time and time again, this line can always surpass the cliche mode and it always work. I use the power of positive thinking to help me get by. You know, always see the glass "half-full." I always tell myself that I am lucky to have a job and that matters a lot especially at a time like this.
2. Be thankful.
Lift your head up and say a prayer. Be thankful for the blessings no matter how great or small. A humble man prospers just like what the 8 Beatitudes say: Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.
3. Be creative.
Spruce up your cubicle with nice photos of you and your family. That's what I did. Although we are not allowed to make a collage out of the cubicle wall, we can put nice pictures in frames to display and my table is brimming! Put pictures of happy trips you have, candid shots with funny faces, pictures of your pets and beautiful sceneries. Post sticky notes on your computer monitor with a smiley face drawn on it. That will put a smile on your face.
4. Surround yourself with wisdom.
Read books that you like and inspiring during your coffee break. Read the bible. Read, read, read... Read newspapers (but try not to read the negative headlines! This will just defeat the purpose of self-motivation) especially the comics section (I do this all the time and it brings a smile to my haggard face).
5. Blow your Horn.
Okay, you may think that this contradicts what I have pointed at number 2. It will only if you boast about it. In this case, you do this tooting of horn in silence, in your thoughts. Well, I do "pat myself" for a job well done when no one else will and let me stress this out - I DO IT IN SILENCE. Yes, it sounds weird but it works well for me knowing that what I have done is great and I congratulate myself for that. It boosts my confidence too. Try it. You don't have to announce to the whole world how marvelous you are. Just say it to yourself and believe.
6. Pray.
Start your day and end it with a prayer. I always lift all my worries to God. I am only a mortal with limitations and weakness. I surrender all my doubts and concerns to Him because He knows what is best. At the end of the day, I always tell myself that I have given my best and I offer all those sacrifice to Him and my family. I may not be recognized at work but in His eyes I am worthy.
So, I hope I have helped impart some important tips to help you get by if you are in a similar situation as I am. I know it is very difficult to motivate yourself but look at the bigger picture. Millions of people out there have no work as I write this. You and I have... Shouldn't that be a motivation in itself?
