When the going gets tough, dig deep

It’s that time of year when we know the end is in sight but it seems like we are stuck in quicksand, not moving forward at all. If you had to listen to all the negative news in the media, it feels like life is beating us up left and right. But if there is one thing as South Africans we all have in common, it’s the fact that we don’t give up. There is a saying that tough times don't last but tough people do.

If you need some tips to find your inner strength for the last stretch of this year, here are some suggestions:

Focus on what you can control
Whether you like it or not, some things are within your control, while other things are not. Learn to recognize the difference. Refuse to worry about circumstances beyond your control. Don't allow yourself to become so emotionally entangled that it paralyzes your progress. Things may not always work out perfectly, but the sooner you get over them, the quicker you move on to your next victory.

Smile the pain away
Our smiles tell our minds how to feel. When things get difficult, it’s easy to be negative. Research, however, has shown that even the most forced of smiles genuinely reduces stress and makes you happier.

Find the next step
Often times when we have a big task ahead of us it seems daunting and difficult to motivate ourselves to start. The best way to approach this is to break that difficult task into smaller more manageable tasks. It is easier to accomplish one small task and will allow you to see where the obstacles are so you can be prepared to overcome them.

Surround yourself with the right people
Nobody can function as an island. In order to pursue your goals with everything you have, it's helpful to be around other people who are working just as hard. Knowing there is someone else going through your problem helps psychologically. It is incredibly difficult to remain motivated when you keep hearing about the negatives of the workplace. It is good and bad in every office. Focus on the positive, surround yourself with like-minded people that enjoy their work and are there for a reason.

There will be many obstacles in the way of your career goals and several moments where tasks seem overwhelming and you’ll even question why you’re taking such a risk. But, if you keep things interesting, constantly making your journey fun and rewarding, you’ll persevere through anything. December is in sight, just a couple of months and it will be all worth it in the end.

If you are thinking of making a move in your career or looking for a new opportunity, Communicate Recruitment can assist. We are a specialist recruitment agency, with the very best recruiters that have placed hundreds of top-level executives at sought-after companies across the country. We specialize in the sourcing of top candidates in the Finance, IT, Engineering, and Supply Chain/Freight industries, both for permanent and contract placements. Contact us today.