Stay Motivated When Your Team Is Laid-Off

by Roberta Chinsky Matuson

While other members of your team have received their pink slips, you are still gainfully employed. Plum projects keep landing on your desk, and you have just received a promotion. You are at the top of your game.

So why are you finding it hard to stay motivated? You need to improve your attitude and retrieve your job satisfaction, but where do you begin?

Guilt Pangs

Start by acknowledging your feelings. It is common to feel guilty when you survive a layoff and your coworkers do not. Take time to grieve with them so you can move forward.

A word of caution: Laid-off team members may call you to vent. Don't spend too much time going over past issues when you can work on creating your future.

Screen office calls so you don't get sidetracked during the day. Calls from former coworkers can be returned in the evening when your time is your own.

Stay Organized

It is easy to get distracted when the cubicles are coming down around you, but you can't afford to lose ground, or your walls may tumble down too. It is important to appear grounded and in control of your surroundings. Maintain a clean desk and stay organized.

Help Out

Check with your boss every few days to see if there are projects you can take off his desk. In addition to assisting your boss, you will gain great experience that you can add to your resume.

Prepare for the Worst

Things may look stable at the moment, but that can change any time. Prepare your resume and beef up your savings. Make time to contact people who might help you should you find yourself unemployed.

Pace yourself

Regardless of what the future holds, you have a long way to go. Carve out time to exercise off some of the stress, and once again, you'll be smiling at the office.