Inspiration and motivation for keeping up the momentum.

I once worked for an organization at risk of going under.

For a while, it seemed we were all in a boat with no oars, and the waters were getting darker as the waves were growing bigger.

We could have despaired.

We could have given up and cursed fate, Mother Nature and whoever else came to mind.

But, a miraculous thing happened instead.

We began to tell inspirational stories to one another. We began to work at lifting one another's spirits.

The stories were of our amazing beginnings, the hope and wonder in our hearts, the respect we had for one another, and appreciation for the family we'd become.

We began to focus not on what we feared might no longer be, but instead, on all the wonderful things that still were.

When hard times visit the workplace, bond with one another.

Reflect on all the things you do have to be thankful for.

Avoid the negative spiral of diminishing spirits.

Motivate one another by recalling your shared inspirational stories, and then channel all that rekindled energy into doing the best that you can with what you have.

Take a moment to reflect:

What has been your single greatest accomplishment as an individual?

As a team?

Identify your greatest win.

What was it that enabled you to achieve this feat?

Was it your tenacity?

Your persistence?

Your talent?

Write down this moment and list your qualities and characteristics-the ones that led you to be successful.

Then work as a team.

Together, what has been your greatest moment? What was it about you as a team, that enabled you to be successful? Brainstorm a list of characteristics. Are there shared characteristics? Where do they differ and complement on another?

Then, bond as a group.

Recognize the importance of every team member's contributions.

Not in your head! Articulate to one another just how important a role they play as part of this team.

Have everyone share a positive word about everyone else on the team.

Positive thinking can attract positive events

Attract all the possibilities for positive events and outcomes to your situation by thinking positively, and focusing on all the things you still have going for you.

Make sure you communicate your intention to survive and outlast this wild ride.

Assure your partners, your clients, your teammates you will work with every ounce of your energy to maintain what you believe in.

Some group exercises might be to:

• Create a new, empowering mission statement
• Hold a brainstorm session to identify innovative ways to cut costs
• Create think tank spaces and opportunities for brainstorming
  creative solutions to current challenges
• Identify and try a bold, new strategy

In the end

If you are successful, you will find yourself stronger than before and invincible as a team.

But, should the result not be what you had hoped for, you will be comforted by the knowledge that you were vigilant!

You can also be comforted by the simple knowledge that the past does not predict the future.

You can start over and be successful elsewhere. Many a success story has started from a place of challenge and perceived "failure."

Mary Pickford said it best when she said:

"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call
"failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down."

May you be successful in all that you do!