Personal resilience vital in hard times
Mar 29, 2009
THERE are many unanswered questions about today’s job market. The work-place and the world generally are becoming so unstable.
Fred Ouma
THERE are many unanswered questions about today’s job market. The work-place and the world generally are becoming so unstable.
Flexibility and self-reliance in the midst of such uncertainty and rapid change have never been more important, experts say.
This is especially true when dealing with your career.
While the ability to confront constant change and stay productive comes naturally to some people, resilience is a strength others must develop. The good news is that with some effort, this can be done.
Whether employees are dealing with global issues such as rising unemployment or more personal matters like job loss, there is a need to adjust to the disruptions, recover from the stress and maintain high levels of productivity.
A weak economy can certainly test your resilience. A job loss can be enormously stressful, but so can staying in a job you do not want or with a company where earnings are low and morale is poor. Unfortunately, this situation is probably true for majority of workers in Uganda.
During times of boom everyone acts like a hero or at least good at their job. In crisis, however, you have to reach into yourself for less obvious strengths and skills.
If you are employed, you have to show up, be productive and contribute to the overall wellbeing of the workplace. If you are unemployed you still have to be productive, but this time find a right job.
This kind of natural coping seems to come naturally to some individuals, but surely not most. Experience shows that most people can develop the ability to deal with stress and uncertainty if they recognise that it is within their power and are willing to take steps such as the following:
Learn from those who are naturally resilient
Henry Oboke, a psychologist at the Makerere University Medical School, suggests thinking of three or four people whom you admire for the way they handled difficult situations in their lives.
Note some of their personal characteristics and behaviours. Identify those you think are most essential for handling stressful situations effectively. “The Golden rule: Spend time with resilient people.â€
Learn from your own experience
In the midst of crisis, you may forget previous experiences when you have been resilient. Juliet Nanziri, a professional counsellor advises taking a minute to recall a specific stressful situation that you have handled effectively.
For example, what characteristics, behaviours or actions did you use to get through it? What were some of your characteristics or behaviours that were unhelpful? What did you learn? Do these actions apply to your current situation?
“Right answers to these questions should give you a glimpse what you need to do to stay resilient,†says Nanziri.
Understand yourself
Why do you think you react the way you do? What is your sense of purpose? What have others told you in the past? By knowing what your motivations are, Oboke and Nanziri believe you can act to build on your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses.
Know the territory
Do you understand the forces shaping the changes? What role, if any, do you play in them? Awareness of trends having an impact on your situation will enable you to recognise and acquire the knowledge and skills you need to prosper in tough times, says Gerald Mugisha, a public relations practitioner. “Be objective about events and ask others for their insights as well,†he says.
Networking
Experts agree that the number one job skill of the 21st century is the ability to build and keep working relationships.
Since you are likely to change jobs several times during the course of your career, they contend that developing and maintaining a network of relationships is very important.
The best and easiest place to start building your network is at the office.
Everyday you make personal contacts and connections with the people you work with.
Each person in your office, from the top executive to the newest recruit, has the potential to boost your career. “Do not count anyone out. They may be that valuable business contact for you in the future,†says Patrick Okee, a workplace research with Real Surveys.
Take care of yourself
Maintain an optimistic, receptive and flexible attitude and a sense of humour.
Plus attend to your health, stay fit and have peace of mind.
“Focusing on your overall wellbeing will give you strength to overcome external stress,†Nanziri says.
Remember: We are talking about skills that serve for a life time not just at work.
Throughout our lives we all learn strategies that help us through challenging times.
As James Mwangi, the Equity Bank chief executive officer says: “Those of us that choose to continue to develop and employ a variety of strategies can become masters at dealing with ambiguity and change and at the same time be a bigger contributor in the workplace.â€
THERE are many unanswered questions about today’s job market. The work-place and the world generally are becoming so unstable.
Flexibility and self-reliance in the midst of such uncertainty and rapid change have never been more important, experts say.
This is especially true when dealing with your career.
While the ability to confront constant change and stay productive comes naturally to some people, resilience is a strength others must develop. The good news is that with some effort, this can be done.
Whether employees are dealing with global issues such as rising unemployment or more personal matters like job loss, there is a need to adjust to the disruptions, recover from the stress and maintain high levels of productivity.
A weak economy can certainly test your resilience. A job loss can be enormously stressful, but so can staying in a job you do not want or with a company where earnings are low and morale is poor. Unfortunately, this situation is probably true for majority of workers in Uganda.
During times of boom everyone acts like a hero or at least good at their job. In crisis, however, you have to reach into yourself for less obvious strengths and skills.
If you are employed, you have to show up, be productive and contribute to the overall wellbeing of the workplace. If you are unemployed you still have to be productive, but this time find a right job.
This kind of natural coping seems to come naturally to some individuals, but surely not most. Experience shows that most people can develop the ability to deal with stress and uncertainty if they recognise that it is within their power and are willing to take steps such as the following:
Learn from those who are naturally resilient
Henry Oboke, a psychologist at the Makerere University Medical School, suggests thinking of three or four people whom you admire for the way they handled difficult situations in their lives.
Note some of their personal characteristics and behaviours. Identify those you think are most essential for handling stressful situations effectively. “The Golden rule: Spend time with resilient people.â€
Learn from your own experience
In the midst of crisis, you may forget previous experiences when you have been resilient. Juliet Nanziri, a professional counsellor advises taking a minute to recall a specific stressful situation that you have handled effectively.
For example, what characteristics, behaviours or actions did you use to get through it? What were some of your characteristics or behaviours that were unhelpful? What did you learn? Do these actions apply to your current situation?
“Right answers to these questions should give you a glimpse what you need to do to stay resilient,†says Nanziri.
Understand yourself
Why do you think you react the way you do? What is your sense of purpose? What have others told you in the past? By knowing what your motivations are, Oboke and Nanziri believe you can act to build on your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses.
Know the territory
Do you understand the forces shaping the changes? What role, if any, do you play in them? Awareness of trends having an impact on your situation will enable you to recognise and acquire the knowledge and skills you need to prosper in tough times, says Gerald Mugisha, a public relations practitioner. “Be objective about events and ask others for their insights as well,†he says.
Networking
Experts agree that the number one job skill of the 21st century is the ability to build and keep working relationships.
Since you are likely to change jobs several times during the course of your career, they contend that developing and maintaining a network of relationships is very important.
The best and easiest place to start building your network is at the office.
Everyday you make personal contacts and connections with the people you work with.
Each person in your office, from the top executive to the newest recruit, has the potential to boost your career. “Do not count anyone out. They may be that valuable business contact for you in the future,†says Patrick Okee, a workplace research with Real Surveys.
Take care of yourself
Maintain an optimistic, receptive and flexible attitude and a sense of humour.
Plus attend to your health, stay fit and have peace of mind.
“Focusing on your overall wellbeing will give you strength to overcome external stress,†Nanziri says.
Remember: We are talking about skills that serve for a life time not just at work.
Throughout our lives we all learn strategies that help us through challenging times.
As James Mwangi, the Equity Bank chief executive officer says: “Those of us that choose to continue to develop and employ a variety of strategies can become masters at dealing with ambiguity and change and at the same time be a bigger contributor in the workplace.â€