Get the Toxic Workplace Stress Detox Starter Course + Toxic Workplace Checklist

Reduce your stress! Start taking back control of your life TODAY. Our actionable advice and tips will help you find your way to a less stressful life in no time. So what are you waiting for?

Sign up today to get access to our videos, checklists, cheat sheets and more!

7 Tips to Stay Motivated When You’re a Leader in the Midst of Adversity

by Sara J. Baker, Ed.D.

As a leader, it’s easy to get lost in the midst of adversity. When you’re facing tough times, it can be hard to stay motivated and focused on your goals. That’s why it’s important to have a plan for staying motivated during difficult times. Follow these 7 steps to stay motivated and focused when the going gets tough.

Stay motivated by taking a break

Take a break

Step back and take a few minutes to breathe, meditate or do something else that calms you down. This can help center yourself so you stay focused on your goals. When life gets busy, it’s easy to lose perspective, but taking time for yourself can keep you from burning out.

Accept the situation

Admitting that you’re facing adversity is the first step towards moving past it. When you acknowledge your difficulties, you can move forward with your plan for how to stay motivated until they’re over. If the adversity is something outside of your control (such as a natural disaster), then take this advice into consideration and stay prepared for when the situation changes.

Reach out to others for support

Reach out to your most trusted friends and family members when you need a boost in morale. Hearing about their challenges can help put yours into perspective, and knowing they care about you can be a major source of motivation when things get tough.

Stay motivated by doing something fun

Do something fun

Figure out a way to have some fun in your life during adversity. Whether you go out with friends, take a break from your routine or try something new, it’s important to stay positive and have something to look forward to.

Practice gratitude

Take time each day to focus on what you’re grateful for. When times are tough, this can help you stay positive and hopeful about the future. When you’re going through adversity, it’s easy to focus on what’s going wrong. Instead of wasting time worrying about these things, spend a few minutes each day thinking about what you’re grateful for instead.

Stay motivated by taking a walk to improve your mood and improve your physical health

Get physical

Adversity can be a great excuse to start a new workout plan. This can be a great source of motivation during tough times, and it has the added benefit of improving your mood as well. You don’t have to work up a sweat at the gym every day either. Even taking a walk around your neighborhood can help you stay motivated and stay physically fit as well.

Find a new project or activity

Figure out a way to stay busy once adversity is over. Spending time focusing on something that you enjoy or that excites you is a good way to stay preoccupied so you stay focused on your goals instead of dwelling on your difficulties. Sometimes with too much free time our mind tends to dwell on worrying. Finding a positive outlet for our energy is a good way to stay motivated. This might be a new project at work, as an after-school activity or as something you do for fun.

Download a free copy of our infographic with these important reminders! Feel free to download it and share it with other leaders who are going through a difficult time.

Keep Going!

No matter what happens, you have to keep going. There is no other option. You can’t give up, because that’s the surest way to fail. If you’re a leader in the midst of adversity and are feeling like everything has gone wrong and your head is about to explode with all the stress, you can use these 7 steps to help shift your perspective, take a step back from the chaos, and get moving again!

And if you like this post, please join our email list (top of right side bar) and receive weekly updates from us directly to your inbox. Or follow us on social media. We post inspirational quotes, articles and resources weekly!

Note: The free infographic is designed to help people who are going through a difficult time and is not intended to be used as guidance for people with serious mental health issues. If you need additional help dealing with a crisis, please seek assistance from a health professional.

Get the Toxic Workplace Stress Detox Starter Course!

Toxic Workplace Stress Detox Starter Kit(2)
Begin your journey to eliminating unhealthy stress with our online course with action-focused, powerful resources including checklists, cheat sheets, trackers and more.

If you have 25 minutes, we can help you gain clarity on how to move forward.

Dr. Sara Baker, Founder of the Leadership Reformation

About the Author

Dr. Sara Baker is an advocate for positive leadership and healthy workplaces. With over 20 years of experience leading private and public organizations, she understands the challenges that employees and leaders face every day.

Sara is the author of Toxic Workplace Survival Guide, an essential resource for anyone who wants to thrive in spite of a toxic work environment or who is ready to quietly quit. In addition to her writing, Sara provides online courses for leadership development and coping with a toxic workplace.

Sara enjoys spending time with her family and friends on her farm in Texas.

Dr. Sara Baker, Founder of the Leadership Reformation

About the Author

Dr. Sara Baker is a thought leader in the area of positive leadership and healthy workplaces. With over 20 years of experience leading private and public organizations, she understands the challenges that employees face every day.

Sara is the author of Toxic Workplace Survival Guide, an essential resource for anyone who wants to thrive in spite of a toxic work environment or who is ready to quietly quit. In addition to her writing, Sara provides online courses for leadership development and coping with a toxic workplace.

Sara enjoys spending time with her family and friends on her farm in Texas.

Toxic Workplace Survival Guide

The book you've been waiting for to help you stop the stress, find peace and live your best life in spite of a toxic work environment. Ready to #quietquit? This is your step-by-step guide to help you prioritize your life over your job.

Sign up to receive leadership tips straight to your inbox.

Is Your Home Office Camera Ready?

Is Your Home Office Camera-Ready?

Check out these home office essentials from Amazon and make WFH even more fabulous!

XCM_CUTTLE_1402545_2135193_US_CUTTLE_300x300_en_US

Let's Get Moving!

Grab some fitness essentials and get your fitness on with all those positive brain chemicals flooding through your body!

Toxic Workplace Survival Guide

Learn How to Quietly Quit & Set Healthy Boundaries

Are you struggling with a work environment that steals your time, your energy and your joy?

Learn how to set healthy boundaries, stay positive in challenging times, make self-care a priority, and much more!

Are You a Leader Who is Interested in
Creating a Healthy Workplace?

Our self-paced, accelerated leadership courses will change the way you think about leadership.

PACED Leadership Program: How to Create a Healthy, Positive Team

Looking to create a positive and healthy workplace and take your leadership to the next level? You are in the perfect place!

  • Learn how to create an environment where people feel safe, supported, motivated, and inspired as we guide you through creating your own action plan for success.
  • Analyze your current performance and set goals for accountability, coaching, empowerment, setting purpose and vision and exhibiting courage in your leadership.