Sometimes, the things we plan to do at work get completely derailed by other events that demand our attention. Your internet connection goes down, the lights blow out, a client emergency arises, or someone calls in sick.
In these moments, it’s easy to become both exasperated and tense. ‘How am I going to complete my list of tasks?’ you wonder. ‘Why did this have to happen?’
When unplanned events throw a wrench in your plans, your best strategy is to practice going with the flow. Going with the flow means you take a deep breath, adjust to the circumstances, and trust that things will work out. Going with the flow requires accepting the current reality of what just happened and moving with it.
Going with the flow at work is not an airy fairy response to emergencies and interruptions. Rather it’s an understanding that these sudden events are a part of life.
If something happens today that upsets your plans, try going with the flow. Take a deep breath, incorporate the new reality, and trust that tending to this inconvenient occurrence doesn’t have to ruin your day.
Neville Bean says:
One thing I find very helpful is to fully accept that problems and obsticles are an integral PART of a project, especially one involving complex interactions. I see it as part of my job to calmly problem-solve issues as they arise. It helps me not waste emotional energy being upset. Another stresser can be not taking seasonal shifts into account. It used to amaze me how one production manager I worked with would freak out when there was a factory holiday, even though they came predictably every year.
wwyikm says:
Great points. Thanks for building on this idea of going with the flow.
Mohamed says:
Dag nabibt good stuff you whippersnappers!
wwyikm says:
thanks, Mohamed.