You’ve moved your business online and started to settle into a comfortable new routine. Everything – management, routines, etc. – is running smoothly, but then, suddenly, your new normal is disrupted! What next? First things first: don’t panic. Times of uncertainty come and go, and they affect all of us. When uncertainty comes knocking, the most important thing is to remain calm and set yourself clear expectations about how you can weather the storm. Here are some simple ways to make sure your management remains a consistent and reassuring foundation for you and your team in times of uncertainty.
Recognize Your Own Needs
Before you take stock of anyone else, start with yourself. You will have a better understanding of your capabilities and needs than anyone else. Note how you are feeling and how you want to respond. If you feel overwhelmed, think through what your schedule and responsibilities look like: does anything need to change? Are there tasks that can be reassigned? Can you reorganize your work schedule to ease stress? Take the time to take care of yourself and recognize your needs, don’t overburden yourself.
Be Honest With Your Team
After you take the time to acknowledge your own feelings, take the time to talk with your team. When you acknowledge the uncertainties you’re facing, those anxieties will no longer be insurmountable. Take the time to acknowledge what people need and are worried about, then take those concerns and start to plan out the best way to respond to people’s concerns. When you adapt as a team everyone will feel invested in working through uncertain times.
Check-In Regularly
It’s important that your team has the opportunity to keep you informed. On the one hand, you want to make sure nobody is out of the loop, or that their needs aren’t being addressed. On the other hand, you want to keep a consistent schedule and routine, so you aren’t overwhelmed. Communicate with your team and come up with a regular way for them to schedule one-on-one meetings with you if they need to talk. You can use programs like Asana to add weekly tasks like “schedule a meeting” so that your team is aware that you’re there for them. Make sure to encourage self-care and safety as well as check-in on professional tasks.
Give Yourself Clear Goals
When faced with uncertainty it can be very assuring and empowering to focus on what you can control. Set yourself clear, well-defined, goals that you can accomplish with your team over time. This will help you not get too caught up in anxieties that you don’t have control over, and it ensures that you still make progress on your tasks. Use time and task management software like Trello, Asana, and Google Calendar to make sure you can keep track of your goals and set yourself reminders.
There’s no single path or set of rules for overcoming uncertainty, but you do have the power to take care of yourself, communicate clearly, and reassure your team. When you are working safely, confidently, and keep clear tasks in mind, you can remain adaptable and ready to face the unknown.
If you think you could use more assistance with your online business in uncertain times, we’re here to help you. Contact Monkey VA today to find the right strategy for weathering uncertain times.
