We Thought It Was a Sprint, Now We Know It’s a Marathon: How Do You Help Your People Cope?

We Thought It Was a Sprint, Now We Know It’s a Marathon: How Do You Help People Cope?

COVID FATIGUE: Of course, back in the ancient time of last March, we all thought it would be over soon, didn’t we? A March lockdown of two, three or four weeks, sure, we could cope. But then, of course, it’s gone on and on and on. As we prepare for more possible lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, how does a weary world begin to cope?

LEADING THROUGH THE COVID STORM: I have previously written in a recent Monday Memo, about how we are all grieving the loss of the life we had, and, for some of us, the loss of jobs, businesses and loved ones. In addition to that, however, we now seem to have sunk into a collective depression because of the endless nature of the Covid fight. If you are a leader, of course, you not only have to manage your own emotions and motivations, but those you lead also.

TIPS FROM ULTRA-ATHLETES:  Saturday’s New York times article “Strengthen Mental Stamina Like the Pros” suggests a surprising source of inspiration for the road ahead: endurance athletes.

“There’s a special kind of exhaustion that the world’s best endurance athletes embrace. Some call it masochistic, others may call it brave. When fatigue sends legs and lungs to their limits, they are able to push through to a gear beyond their pain threshold. These athletes approach fatigue not with fear but as a challenge, an opportunity.”

In the Covid race, we have all become endurance athletes. We are running a race with no clear finish line: tired, angry, and maybe even ready to give up. What do these athletes know that we don’t, and what can we learn from them?

What Should You Do?

KNOW YOUR OWN STRENGTH: Like Gayle Gadot in Wonder Woman, these experts on endurance emphasize that we are all stronger than we think we are and more flexible than we ever imagined. As a leader, especially, you need to encourage your people to know and understand their own gifts.

PACE YOURSELF: Endurance athletes learn that they can’t blow all their energy early in the run, game or trek but must hold things in reserve or they will never make it through the marathon event. Similarly, leaders who work 24/7 will burn out, especially in this time of constant change. Try to keep

SET SMALL GOALS THAT YOU CAN CONTROL: These super stars learn how to set mini-goals that they know they can make. Similarly, if you try to see too far ahead in a world full of chaos, you will only create more stress for yourself and those you lead. In addition, make sure that your goals are ones that you can control: making a difficult phone call, writing a speech, or filling out an evaluation. If you set goals where others control the outcome, you will only add to your frustration.

STRUCTURE YOUR DAY: It’s easy to drift these days, especially if you are working at home without a set schedule. Creating and keeping a schedule, however, can lead to athletic, professional, and personal success.

ADD SOMETHING NEW: Just as we can become bogged down with constant change, we can be worn down by doing the same thing every day. When athletes are injured or in lockdown, their trainers try to get them to try some new physical activity, frequently leading to new gains in endurance or agility.

What Do You Think?

Have you found new ways to lead or work during the pandemic?  Contact us at: 303-216-1020 or Lynne@workplacesthatwork.com