Working Within a Culture and Environment of Uncertainty

Somewhere along the line, many of us got the message that if we just did everything right--if we worked hard, kept our noses clean and practiced dedication and moderation, all would be right with the world. We got the message that we could somehow control the future and create stability and security. The truth is, that philosophy couldn't be farther from the truth! In the current economic climate, uncertainty and insecurity are the order of the day. This can make for a challenging work environment, to say the very least. Worry about job security, financial disaster and other realities of the current culture can make it tough to concentrate on work and priorities and to even maintain optimum health. It is possible, however, to learn how to work in an environment of uncertainty:

There is an element of trust that is required in uncertain and insecure times. While many of us are tempted to work harder and longer until we buckle under the stress and strain, we may actually need to accept that we are not going to be able to control the outcome no matter how hard we work. This can be scary, but it can also be liberating. In the work environment, having the threat of lay-off or job elimination hanging over one's head can be tough--we don't know from day to day when we show up to work whether or not we will be sent back home again! This uncertainty can take it's toll to say the very least. Accepting that we have no control can set us free to cease worrying and just focus on what needs to be done in the day or moment.

The threat of job loss and financial instability can be incapacitating. We may be so busy worrying about might happen that we are unable to take risks, solve problems and enjoy living and working in the moment. This fear and worry can definitely influence our work. Instead of worrying and fussing, why not let go and just view each new day as an unfolding adventure. What can you control today? What part of your own behavior and/or efforts can you have influence over in the next hour? Break the day down into manageable chunks and try to ignore or let go of those uncontrollable issues. Know your threshold for how much stress and tension you can absorb and try not to push yourself beyond it on a regular basis. While it is good to push ourselves beyond our comfort level--taking on fear, worry, stress and tension doesn't count! Let it go and celebrate all the ways you do cope.

Remember the adage about putting all your eggs in one basket? This can be one of the reasons an uncertain work culture can be so unbearable. Consider ways that you can diversify income or get other things going in your life that will provide more balance. If all you have is your job (as your identity, sense of self-worth, etc.) then the threat of losing it can be a very big deal. If you have other things that you do and enjoy and other ways that you contribute to the world, it won't seem like such a big deal for it to go away. Not to mention, your confidence in your ability to "bounce" will give you a sense of stability even the culture and environment around you is shaky and uncertain.