Frontline personnel during COVID;

The work doesn’t seem to end anytime soon;

You all are working every day without fail, to keep others safe;

You probably have been facing pending payments from more than one month;

You are taking the highest risks and still, people don’t behave properly with you;

Despite all of these factors-- heavy workload, constant disrespect from many, unsatisfying pay packages, you have to keep working because These Are Tough Times!

Here are a few tips to help you, as a frontline personnel, stay motivated to work irrespective of these negative factors;

1. Try the Self Pep Talk: Whenever you think that things are going out of your hand or there is no way out of the situation, practice positive self-talk. Try telling yourself things like, “This is temporary”, “Just push yourself a little more” to boost your morale. 

Understand and acknowledge the fact that even though you can’t see an end to this situation soon enough, this will not go on forever. Try and write your own mantra that will help you think positively. It can be something as simple as, “You will adjust, you will heal, and you will recover” - anything that you think defines your thoughts well. 

2. Enjoy things that make you happy: Remembering little joyous things are going to change your mood even in the darkest of times. Also, no matter how difficult the situation gets, no one has stopped you from embracing any positive distractions while doing your job. So, the next time you feel like singing your favourite song while getting to work or back home, or dancing to the music that plays in the lift or just flipping through your favourite magazine while having that quick cup of coffee or chai in the morning - don’t feel guilty about it. Instead, enjoy these things since they work as a positive booster to reduce the impact of a rather hectic day.

3. Get involved in something ritualistic: Be it lighting a lamp, chanting, dressing your hair, drawing rangoli at the entrance of your door--anything that you feel completely in control of. Rituals put our brain in a cyclic motion that is calming for it; repeated rituals perfect our act making us feel in control and satisfied. Also, they take your mind away from the ensuing hectic day.

4. Give yourself a sense of purpose: Whether you took up the job to earn money, to learn new skills, to contribute towards the nation....or just to keep your head above the water given the current joblessness, remind yourself of it and focus on the thought how the purpose will enhance your quality of life better. More money many mean better education for kids, new skills may mean a step ahead on the road to a better career, more respect and appreciation from your colleagues...whatever motivates you, keep that thought in mind, the minute negativity comes knocking. Have a mission statement for yourself.

KNOW WHY YOU DO WHAT YOU DO!

5.Set up your own mutual admiration society: Appreciate and recognise efforts of people in a similar situation as yours--colleagues, friends, relatives, seniors at work--have open conversations with them where you acknowledge their efforts and empathize with their difficult circumstances, sincerely. Sooner or later, they will reciprocate the same and become your morale support pillars.

(Pic credit: pikisuperstar/freepik)