The Hangover

July 18 2024

By Mark David

This calendar year has presented a tumultuous journey for numerous companies I support here at MDC. As we navigate through this tense environment of ongoing rounds of layoffs, reorganizations of teams and the normal de-hiring process occurring it can resemble a game of musical chairs. It’s evident that perseverance is key attribute one must have. Congratulations if you’re still in the game. Now, you are faced with addressing this cultural hangover.

Today, many outstanding employees find themselves in a mental funk due to this current cultural hangover. If it resonates with you, let me share some effective ways to break out of this state.

• The NOW – Immediately get yourself back to living in the present moment of NOW. Get back from the past and stop going into the future. The past increases your stress and the future increases your anxiety.
• Own your career – This is a great wake up call. If you’re waiting for your company to give you the chance of a lifetime in your career, let me tell you now, no one is coming…Own the responsibility of creating your career, plan and execution to achieve it. The simplest way to do this is through your imagination. Imagination opens up all the possibilities and unlimited opportunities, remember, “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve” (Napoleon Hill)
• A burning desire – Your persistence should know no limits. You will do whatever it takes to achieve your desired future state. This burning desire must be white hot inside you. You literally not figuratively have to have the burn alive inside you. Anything less, I guarantee you will fall short. 
• Find daily wins – These daily wins don’t have to be earth shattering. They can be simple, successes that move the ball forward. Step back and let these wins fill you with gratitude. Look for them, seek them out. See how good they make you feel. A win is achieving an important result for your team/org.
• Find like-minded people – Work with/hang out with people who love their work, want to be at work and have a positive outlook in their life. Have your energy and their energy combine to raise your spirits, activities and results. It really is amazing when highly focused people work together, they build a momentum that is fantastic to observe.
• Start to upgrade your skills/behaviors. Find a gap in your game. Build a Vision, Strategy and Execution (VSE) to close it. By focusing on improving yourself, you will immediately fill yourself with greater confidence. 
• Stop complaining – When you catch yourself about to complain, don’t. Find another way to say it without being negative. In alignment with complaining, stop the excuses, finger pointing, talking about others job and company opportunities. This focus on what’s wrong vs. right will drain you of your energy to succeed. 
• Structured time management – Go into work with a highly structured day. It’s not easy, but it will force you to think in the moment. It’s so structurally tight, your mind can’t wonder. It must stay on point. Do this 2 days a week. Your attitude and energy will naturally increase to accomplish more in your day. STM will give you a positive boost every week. 
• Re-read my Feb 2024 Blog – Stop going to work, start going to living.
• Lastly, ACL – Accept you are in a hangover/funk state. Once you accept it you can now Change it. Acceptance is and will always be the doorway to adult behavioral change You have to be awake, aware and conscious about your state of mind. The L represents leave – which is an option. 

If you’re in one of your company’s chairs, then take advantage of it. The opportunities that are present will never be greater. Your company needs great, inspirational leaders, knowing managers + coaches who love their people and want to keep them releasing their potential. These coaches know when they seek happiness for others, they will find it in themselves.

I will leave you with what my favorite mentor, Earl Nightingale, taught me years ago. He said these words and I have used them to be successful for over 40 years: “Stay with it”.

Appreciate the Day,

Mark David

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