Dealing with the Funk

In business, as in life, there are ebbs and flows. The ebbs can sometimes lead to something one may call a 'FUNK'. This funk is usually noticed in the form of a lack of motivation and/or a sense of just going through the motions.

The cause of a ‘funk’ can be anything from stress in one’s personal life, day-to-day business struggles, or any so-called fires you have been battling over the course of time. No matter the particular cause, we have all been in a funk at least once, and are very likely to revisit it multiple times throughout our careers.

The trouble with being in a funk is:  1) It is not always apparent to the one in the funk as to when it began, 2) You never know how long the funk will last, and 3) You often don’t know how to get out of it.

Identifying that you are in a funk is a challenge; oftentimes, it is more apparent to those around you than it is to you in the early stages. Here are some good warning signs:

· Moody

· Short tempered

· Lack of tolerance

· Lack of responsiveness

· Lack of production/productivity

· Lack of clarity

· A sense of fogginess

· Tough time focusing

· Lack of desire

· Lack of motivation

· An ‘I don't give a sh@$’ attitude

· Feeling of hopelessness

Because the funk can roll in slowly, we tend not to see it in ourselves.  It is usually the individuals we interact with on a daily basis who pick up on it.   And oftentimes, when they call us out on it, we deny it. If a trusted individual in your life brings up the topic, it would be sound advice to take a step back and take a self evaluation. The first step to getting out of the funk – just like anything else – is being able to recognize the fact you are in it to begin with.
 

The length of time you stay in a funk is based on the impact and the circumstances that brought it about.  Each of us responds differently to the circumstances in our lives. Sometimes, getting away for a day or two to refresh and energize the batteries is enough. Other times, the funk can last for weeks, months or even years. I am by no means an expert in this area and certainly not giving medical advice, but as trainers and fitness professionals, our general game plan revolves around getting back into the groove of eating healthy and exercising.  However, sometimes this isn't enough: sometimes we need to seek the help of a trained professional.

So how does one get out of a funk?  Well, the honest answer here is ‘I have no clue.’  But let me share what has worked for me:

· Identify the cause. If it is an unresolved issue, then work toward resolving it. I often find that if an issue is left unaddressed, it can eat away at me to the point that I begin to obsess over it, and it consumes me.

· Take some personal time. Take some time to allow yourself a mental and/or physical break from your current activities. I know this can be a struggle, especially if you have family commitments that you think won't allow you to get away. Think of it this way: Does your family want you to be happy? Do you think you will be more productive when you’re happy or when you’re rundown?

· Do something that you enjoy. Oftentimes, when I feel a funk coming on, I will realize I haven't worked out for a long time – and usually for no good reason! I also have a wide variety of interests outside the workplace, and if I haven't partaken in any of those interests for awhile, I can find myself in a funk. I think it has to do with the creative person who lays inside that needs an outlet.

· Take pride in what you have, and what you have accomplished. A lot of times, I am not willing to recognize the good that I have done or the things I have accomplished. More often than not, I will downplay the impact I have. Sometimes, I have to be willing to give myself a pat on the back and say ‘attaboy.'

· Lastly, I have to remind myself that I don't have to be perfect. To err is human. As a single father of two, I have to recognize that I don't have to be perfect. It’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s okay to get angry when things just simply go the way I want them to. There are so many factors we can't control – and frankly, who wants that responsibility? I just need to trust that, in the end, I will make the right choices that are in the best interest of those that I am interacting with, either personally or professionally.

I hope you find some useful insight within this article, and continue to work on yourself to help you minimize the inevitable funks that are part of life. Take solace in the fact you are not alone. After all you are human.