You may be tired of hearing this but COVID-19 hasn’t just turned the world on its head, but it’s accelerated new trends that are already happening which is a good thing. We’re having to be more creative on how we live life and how we conduct our businesses or how we work.
Still, some business people don’t like change. This could be due to fear of the unknown or having to reinvent their old business model, which has worked for them. However, we’re in a situation in which no progress is possible, because with the lockdowns the old way just isn’t viable anymore. So businesses that are resisting change and don’t evolve may disappear which we’re already seeing. Evolution is a natural part of all of life, and our businesses and the way we work are no different.
COVID-19 has entirely shifted our old paradigm. The good part of this pandemic and we’re of course well aware of the bad because it is shoved in our face every day. But we also have to look at the good because it has created an opportunity for leaders, or managers to re engage with their workforce to redefine and reinvent the workplace. This truly is a powerful thing and should be embraced fully.
There is no such thing as problems there are only opportunities
This is a powerful attitude, a frame of mind, a way of thinking, a standpoint that will serve you well for now and forever. And when you can take on the attitude that there are no such things as problems there are only opportunities. Then you might be surprised at some of the remarkable things that start happening to you.
When you look back in your own life and think about problems and challenges that you faced and how many times you suffered needlessly because of something that happened to you. If you think about your darkest times, and your most challenging experiences. It was during these times that insights came to you, it’s during these times that you made decisions, that you made powerful choices.
Now in looking back it is often these choices that were a turning point in your entire life. I have had so many of these experiences, and now in hindsight, I truly can say thank goodness for those challenges. How much I’ve grown because of these and what powerful muscles I’ve developed in all the areas of my life.
Why Evolving Our Business And How We’re Living Now Is Critical
What I’m noticing from the business owners that I’m working with is there has been this wonderful shift in a genuine concern for their people in their businesses.
Savvy business owners understand that workplace happiness has a direct link to a company’s bottom line. The challenge is how do we help our people to get happy? I think the whole thing starts from valuing happiness. Having both top leaders and managers who realise that happiness is not just nice to have, but actually boosts business results.
Happy employees do better work. Some of the best ways to do that are all really simple, and this is where a lot of managers get this wrong. They think that happiness is all about the right incentives, salaries, promotions, bonuses, or raises. A lot of managers think that it’s just about perks. Of course, many people welcome these. But it takes more than these to make people really happy.
The Power Of Balance
These leaders or managers are not just focusing on health because of Covid, but also “encouraging” their people to take a more balanced approach to how they live their lives. Which is good for the mental and physical health of everyone.
Studies show that individuals who enjoy more balance are more fulfilled. People who feel good about themselves develop greater confidence because enjoying balance improves self-esteem and people with greater self-esteem perform at peak levels. When people are happy they’re more engaged, passionate, and happy about what they do at work. Studies show that happiness at work is good for employees and for the bottom line.
Happy workplaces are more effective, less stressful, and have lower absenteeism and employee turnover. When we feel good about a company, we want to be involved, to work there. We’re engaged and motivated to help the company succeed.
How can you encourage employees to be more motivated and engaged? We provide a Plan of Action that empowers the individual to balance all areas of life.
The process of goal setting allows you to give each area of life proper attention to become the complete person you want to be according to your personal priorities. Introducing this process into the workplace can serve to transform any organisation’s corporate culture in a positive manner. Alter the dynamics of your workforce and you experience increased efficiency.
“Proper management of the work lives of human beings, of the way in which they earn their living, can improve them and improve the world and in this sense be a utopian or revolutionary technique.” – Abraham Maslow
Personal note: Everything that I’ve written about in this blogpost I’ve learned from working with the incomparable Michael Lawlor and the team at Mayfair Gearbox. Visiting the four branches every week for the past 5 years has been my “laboratory” (thank you Michael) working with amazing people who have taught me a lot about life in the real world. Thank you, guys.
WISE GUYS
- “You have to live on this twenty-four hours of daily time. Out of it you have to spin wealth, pleasure, money, content, respect, and the evolution of your immortal soul. It’s right use, its most effective use, is a matter of the highest urgency… all depends on that “– Arnold Bennett.
- “The key is not to prioritise what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” – Stephen Covey
- “You can’t truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles.” – Zig Ziglar
