11 Tips to Push Through Corona-Career Anxiety

We are living in such strange times and you may be feeling frustrated, overwhelmed or even down.

I feel you! I am experiencing a broad range of emotions too… and they change daily!

Perhaps you feel:

• Extreme frustration at your sudden lack of freedom…
• Grief for the loss of your working persona…
• Disappointed about the loss of a big project opportunity…
• Or unsure about your ‘role’ right now…

 

 

Maybe you feel:

• Despondent due to the monotony and lack of variety of activities and opportunities…
• Uncertain about the future…
• Guilty that you’re not able to give your best to anything at the moment…
• Irritated by the stop-start nature of your work and lack of momentum…
• Or like you’ve got so little control…

 

I hear you! I really do.

If it’s any consolation, there’s nothing wrong with you! You are just a human being having a very vulnerable, human experience right now.

 

Here are 5 reasons why you might be finding it tough:

1. We are human beasts, seeking basic human connection and belonging. We have   hardwired needs that are currently being thwarted.

2. We need purpose and meaning. And if you can’t deliver your best work right now, you may feel that purpose is less clear.

3. Many people need external validation to feel like they’re on-track and doing a great job. Without the connection and input from other human beings, that becomes less possible.

4. We humans need to feel certainty – or at least the ability to try and predict what may happen. The corona situation has been unique in that it is difficult for even our smartest minds to know what will happen. This need for certainty connects with our primal need for security and to protect those we hold dear. Even those basic needs feel unstable right now.

5. We all have intrinsic values that we are seeing compromised. If, for example, you value any of these things: creativity, innovation, variety, conversation, being in the limelight, socialising, being an authority, or your own space and privacy (this is really difficult when you’re you might be living 24/7 with your kids!)… you may be finding isolation tough.

(Conversely if you value keeping to yourself and don’t enjoy face to face communication much, you may be enjoying isolation quite a bit!) 🙂

 

If any of this rings true, I know you want to help yourself – am I right?

 

 

I’d love to share 11 strategies to help you push through your Corona-Career anxiety:

 

1.Acknowledge the ‘very human experience’ you’re having right now

This means appreciating your feelings, needs and values for what they are. There is nothing to be guilty or ashamed about. It’s okay to feel irritated, annoyed, angry, despondent, disappointed. It will all pass.

2. Remind yourself that this period of time will end

Nothing is finite. We will return to ‘normal’ at some point soon enough and then, you might look back on this period and see it as a learning somehow.

3. Know what is in your control

Do one list of what you can control and another for what you can’t. How much of this is in your control?

4. Remind yourself of your tremendous value

Be very clear how much professional and personal value you add. Whether in isolation or not, you remain the same experienced and valuable individual you were 3 months ago. Perhaps now you have even more to offer, having managed through this change? Maybe there is a value you can offer your family, team, clients, or boss – now more than ever? How do they need you right now? How can you help them?

5. Write a “50” List

This is a list of 50 ways in which you’re adding value today. It’s amazing what this simple exercise will throw up and how it can throw despondency out of the window!

 

 

6. Refocus your goals and expectations

What will be a good outcome for you in the next 3 months? You may need to adjust your goalposts or KPIs. With this new focus, check-in to assess how realistic you are being. Make sure whatever you set is manageable.

7. Keep communication channels open

And that means both personal and professional relationships. Take lots of steps to keep connected with people. Share your refocused goals with your manager and keep in touch regularly.

8. Set small, regular goals

Keep yourself motivated and focused with small, daily goals. This will help manage the uncertainty and keep your brain occupied on single outcomes rather than spiralling into an overwhelmed state.

9. Be kind to yourself!

You’re doing the best that you can with the resources that you have. It’s that simple.

10. Make plans for the future

Consider all the personal activities you want to do once this is all over. Maybe you want to visit new countries, spend time with gorgeous people or enjoy a cocktail at your favourite bar. Get your teeth stuck into some career planning. Have you come to realisation you need a different role? Is there a new opportunity you want to experience? Do you want to redesign how you could be more successful in your current position within the next 6-12 months?

11. Reconnect with your higher purpose

When feeling like you’re wallowing in the mud and struggling to see the wood for the trees… always take yourself up to your higher mission. What are you doing this for? That sense of purpose might just reignite your enthusiasm and get you back on track.

Rebecca x

 

Rebecca Allen, COI of Illuminate Personal Growth, works with professional women to help them take their careers to the next level. If you are feeling underwhelmed by your lack of career progress, looking for support and encouragement and keen to learn new skills to improve your prospects, then you’re in the right place. We provide online career courses, courses for women, live workshops and leadership trainings in Sydney as well as 1-1 executive coaching. Get in touch!

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