A number of clients asked me, either for themselves or their own people, how to get out of a funk. But first we need to answer the question: What is a “funk”? Here is the answer: It is a mental collapse where a change in an individual's method of doing things occurs. This occurrence puts them on a negative trajectory.

What usually causes it to occur?

  1. Losing one’s focus, going off track, lack of confidence
  2. Bad habits in, good habits out
  3. Looking for another job
  4. Health problems
  5. Family challenges/divorce
  6. Complacent
  7. Not prioritizing scattered
  8. Before or after a vacation
  9. After a great achievement that was way above the normal
  10. After a very poor performance
  11. The individuals just run out of energy

What are some signs to watch for that indicate a funk is on the way?

  1. Does not meet agreed-upon goals
  2. Is not working/missing a lot of work
  3. Goes from good to bad performance
  4. Complains that their goals are not attainable
  5. Doesn’t believe any plan will work
  6. Does not fulfil assignments
  7. Full of excuses
  8. Is not accurate with assignments
  9. Avoids the manager
  10. Has no zest for life, no enthusiasm, no energy
  11. No ideas, no enterprise
  12. Readily agrees to any management ideas/plans even though it is obvious there is no
  13. mental acceptance of the plan
  14. Openly talks about other job offers
  15. Finds excuses for the funk but is never responsible for them

HOW TO GET OUT OF A FUNK

  • Visualize the agreed-upon goals; focus and concentrate on working to achieve them
  • Structured time management:
  • Put oneself into a rigid, prioritized time management system
  • Divide the day into 3 parts: (1) AM 7-12, (2) PM 12-5, (3) Evening 5:00+
  • Each segment is highly defined, and the time commitment must be honoured
  • Usually, this type of structured discipline can work 2-3 days in a row. Then, relax it. Go back to a normal workload. If needed, go back into the structured schedule again the next week.
  • Structured time management helps a great deal before and after vacations.
  • A clean workspace. Get it orderly. Wipe everything down. Make the area sparkle.
  • The less you talk about productivity and the more you talk/focus on aligning the purpose to the job, the sooner you will pull out of the funk.
  • The individual realizes they are in a funk. They use ACL- they ACCEPT they are in a funk, they decide to CHANGE their attitude and behaviors and hold themselves accountable to executing the plan created, or they LEAVE.
  • Intend to probe what caused it and then figure out how to prevent it in the future. Don’t give up; be patient to uncover the cause. Many times, it's hidden deep inside oneself. Gently stay on it. It will eventually show itself.
  • Possibly change the goals and therefore have a new activity plan to achieve them. The key is to make the new plan very doable. Align it to their strengths and their purpose. Remember, people do things for their reasons, not yours. Make it about them today and their future.
  • Sometimes you can recommend finishing up their work and go home early to have a fresh start for the next day.

Being in a funk today is quite common. It is a great loss of productivity, effectiveness, and results for every team, organization, and company. My immediate suggestion is to slow down to get ahead.

Daily, check yourself and others to make sure a funk is not coming on or occurring in the moment. If it is, use the concepts/strategies/techniques I’ve given you to get out of it.

Related: Why Your Best Employees Leave—and What Great Leaders Do Differently