Did you notice how strong the camaraderie was at the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown? Everyone was suddenly feeling isolated with the restrictions imposed on our normal lives, yet there was a sense of us all being in it together.

Now, though, I’m noticing that many people are pointing out that we’re not all in the same boat, which can cause feelings of resentment or guilt. Resentment because perhaps you’re having to work long, hard hours while others get to stay at home with their families. Guilt because you are safe at home with your family while others are on the front line.

Delve down and you find more issues. Being home with the family may sound good, but it can have its stressors, especially for those home-schooling children. Or if your spouse is a key worker, or you’re both furloughed and worrying about managing the bills.

And then there are those who live all alone or hundreds of miles from their families.

Now we’re beginning to see how people are handling the current situation. Some people are accepting it’s necessary, others are very emotional.

Differences in Attitude

There are two different aspects to attitude:

  • Short term – only dealing with what’s happening right now. It can be unhelpful as you tend to be reactive. That short-term outlook can blinker you to the bigger picture and drive irrational behaviour, such as panic buying. It’s emotionally draining.
  • Long term – a long-term view recognises that the current situation is temporary. This approach helps you to be more objective and proactive. Despite the uncertainty, you plan ahead for when your life or business can return to the next normalep . This attitude helps you to handle the unknowns.

These two approaches indicate what your attitude is. Short term thinking is generally negative, whereas long term views are usually more positive.

  • Negative attitude – this is coming from a place of fear, you tend to run a script through your head as if you’re in a disaster movie. This can be made even worse when fuelled by constantly watching the news or social media channels.
  • A negative attitude can be crippling. It impacts your energy levels and motivation, sucking you down into a pit of doom. It can even stop you from exercising and looking after yourself. If you feel like you’re in that place, gently push yourself to take some exercise.

The good news is that you can be helped. Because coaching is future focused, it helps you to create strategies to recognise and work through negativity when it happens so that you move back into a more positive state.

  • Positive attitude – when you have a positive attitude, you’re more able to script a happy ending. You will look for ways to help you achieve that or find ways to influence situations to get to where you need to be. A positive attitude is solution focused.
  • Having a positive mindset lifts you up, can be motivational and helps you to look ahead, putting plans in place for your business or family life. You are more likely to look after yourself through exercise and eating well.

When the pressure is on, how do you react?

Which characteristic do you notice becoming more exaggerated, or being dialled up or down? If you’re normally outgoing, do you quieten and withdraw when under pressure? Whereas quiet people may become more animated as they feel the pressure mount.

If you’re noticing that you’ve become negative and need to turn that around to script a happier, more positive outcome, then coaching could help. That’s because coaching helps you to look further ahead, beyond the immediate challenges, and realise that you can do this, rather than can’t.

Providing a Safe Space

When you need to talk to someone about a difficult situation, or you’re not handling your anxieties well, talking to someone who’s both impartial and objective – ideally, a trained coach – is usually far more beneficial than talking to friends or family (who have an emotional attachment or vested interest). A good coach will help you deal with uncertainties like a career change if you’re currently unable to work. Or untangle something that’s causing confusion or that’s holding you back.

A good coach will help you to see the wood for the trees and guide you into putting a plan in place, whether it’s for your career or your life in general. Creating a plan – a road map – even before you’ve decided to take the journey is a positive step, helping to indicate what the next steps should be.

Use This Time to Create Positive Change

Lockdown could be the ideal time to step back and consider your life or make changes to your working practices. Look at restructuring your lifestyle or your teams. Check your resources and procedures. Consider what will have changed by the time we get back to our daily routines to see how your day needs to adapt to remain profitable.

For a business to be successful, there are five key areas that need to rock solid foundations – your five pillars. The Attitude of the people comes into Pillar 3. To see where that fits in, Here’s a link to my free guide, which connects business structure and team motivation.

Being a good motivator means having the right attitude yourself – your attitude impacts on your team, colleagues and household.

Now is a good time to gain clarity about how an attitude change will make life better or more successful. Coaching will help you to see things clearly and implement positive changes within your work or your life. Or both!

How is Your Attitude Serving You?

Stop right now. Look inwards for a moment. How is your attitude serving you? Do you have a positive attitude that helps you to thrive? How do you cope during times of stress?

If you’re struggling with a negative attitude it could be making things worse. If you’re noticing that you can’t see beyond tomorrow, ask for help. Talk to someone who is trained to be positive and has a clear vision.

Coaches are positive (as role models and for the success of our own businesses). Professional coaches are consistent in the way we operate (and clients have complimented me on my consistency). We’re trained to detach ourselves from your emotional ‘stuff’. We manage our own state – that’s more important now than ever for us to successfully help you. It’s my belief that the best Coaches have a coach. I know the value of high quality coaching so I invest in that for myself. In recent weeks, I have valued having that objective space to talk through my plans with my coach and how I can best serve my clients in their immediate needs.

You may feel that talking to family or friends will help. Unfortunately, being close to you, they can struggle to be objective and may have their own issues to deal with. Whilst they may mean well, they are not trained to remain impartial and objective. They may give advice about what they would do if they were you. But they’re not you. What’s right for them won’t necessarily be right for you. Plus, being close to you, they have an emotional connection and may have a vested interest which influences their suggestions.

Applying years of professional training and extensive experience, I bring a patient, clear and calm attitude into our discussions. This positive attitude will help you to look ahead and find a way to deal with your situation.

Let’s see how well we can work together. Call 07766 004964 or click here to email me.