Surviving the Pandemic Series: Creating More Meaningful Actions

Combat pandemic-induced languishing by setting boundaries, focusing on one task at a time, and achieving small, meaningful goals to rediscover energy and purpose.

Adam Grant, a workplace psychologist, described the name of what many of us are feeling: languishing. Not quite depressed, not quite thriving either. We find ourselves dragging our feet in the morning, then staying late working, then binging one more Netflix show, and then another.

According to Adam, here are three things to combat languishing and create a more meaningful existence while waiting for the pandemic to end.

Cut interruptions by setting boundaries. When at work, talking on the phone, watching a show or playing a game with your loved ones, decide how much time you are going to spend and don’t let other activities, people or priorities get your attention. If you are going to play, play all the way without distractions.
Do not allow your time to be fragmented, jumping from activity to activity. Not unlike pre-pandemic days when we mindlessly checked email 75 times a day or started one project only to jump to the next without finishing. Focus on one thing for 10 to 15 minutes, get it done, before moving on to something else.
Set small goals so you are likely to achieve them. You have heard that the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Identify “a small challenge that stretches your skill and heightens your resolve.” List one such item a day: could be a shelving project, organizing travel photos or dropping off food at the food bank, etc.

These actions will allow you meaningful engagement with what is in front of you, who is in front of you and you may be able to rediscover your energy, happiness and drive. Read the full article here.

If you are feeling overwhelmed in your state of languishing, do not hesitate to reach out.

Surviving the Pandemic Series: Creating More Meaningful Actions

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