Another five tips for building a better future at work during COVID-19.

New and unexpected challenges continue to arise from the unprecedented circumstances we’re living in. Here are five more tips for tackling those challenges in your life at work and coming out stronger.

Tip #11: Start an idea list.

Curiosity isn’t just an essential skill for your workplace success – it also keeps things fresh, which you may find yourself needing more and more as you stay socially distanced.

Keep a notepad handy, and use it to jot down any interesting ideas you have during the day, whether or not they’re fully-formed. Anything you think of doing or trying is at least worth worth putting to paper.

You never know what a scribbled-out idea will turn into —something you write down today could eventually be an exciting project for your own growth or for the good of your company.

Tip #12: Label your emotions.

You’re probably feeling a lot of different things about work and life right now. 

It’s easy to minimize our feelings with generic words like “mad” or “upset,” but there’s power in getting more specific. Use these emotional near-synonyms to put a stronger label on what you’re feeling.

• Angry: enraged, exasperated, irritable, envious, disgusted
• Scared: insecure, nervous, panicked, dreadful
• Happy: proud, hopeful, playful, thankful, passionate

Having a stronger label for your feelings gets you closer to understanding where they’re coming from, and how to address them, both in and out of work.

Five tips for building a better future at work during COVID-19.

Tip #13: Know when to stop worrying.

With everything going on right now, you might find yourself defaulting to a constant state of worry.

Worry without action isn’t useful, but you can’t act on everything with so many things out of your control.

When you find yourself worrying, ask yourself: Do I have influence or control of the thing I’m worried about?

• Yes: Pivot to problem-solving.
• No: Do your best to focus on something else.

Knowing what you can and can’t control allows you to concentrate your energy where you can have the greatest positive impact.

Tip #14: Laugh!

Laughter is more than a moment diversion — it’s an effective stress management tool.

Physically, it improves oxygen flow and stimulates circulation. Emotionally, enjoying humor helps you find emotional balance and connect with other people.

Find time to read, listen to, or watch something that makes you laugh. Better yet, talk to someone you laugh with.

Finding time for laughter at work can actually make you more productive, not to mention happier.

Five more tips for building a better future at work during COVID-19.

Tip #15: Respond; don’t react.

Communication in the workplace is complicated enough under normal circumstances. Take away the non-verbal cues, and misinterpretation, like taking things personally, is inevitable.

Luckily, remote communication also makes it easier to allow yourself a pause. Today, if you feel yourself having an emotional response to a message or email, take a few minutes before responding to consider the other person’s viewpoint and how your response might be received.

You can translate this technique to face-to-face communication, by saying something like, “I hear you. I’m going to take some time to think about what you’ve said.”

Which of these tips are you going to try first? Let us know how it goes by reaching out to us @workbravely.