Meaningful work in times like these.

Many of my professional friends are going through a phase of the doldrums. Their motivation and drive have diminished as they work from home, cope with pent-up children, and the endure the seemingly never-ending shelter-in-place dictates caused by the COVID-19 virus. The President is anxious to get everyone back to work while physicians and public health officials warn of too much too soon. Cable news services approach the subject from opposite positions as we watch trying to make sense of the situation. Not knowing what’s going to happen is, in my opinion, the cause of this lack of motivation.

What to do? I’m not an expert in these areas, but it seems to me that interacting with others is key. My wife, her friends, my grandchildren, and others are on the phone or online a lot. I believe the interaction helps them cope with the isolation and uncertainty.

If that is truly the case, then perhaps it would be wise for those of us who are used to working in the company of others, take more time to interact online. Instead of sitting in front of a computer and trying to work alone, start working collaboratively with one or two others via video conferencing. Humans need social contact. Set up a couple of calls a day to different people, chat socially, inquire into their health and that of their family. Then, find some projects to discuss.

It’s helping me. I connect online with two or three people every day to talk about work. The conversations are light, with no deep and consuming purpose. We just talk for a while about what we’re doing and how we might be able to help one another. I come away from those conversations energized and with something productive to do. It’s not the same as the interactions that occur at work, but it’s much better than not having any at all.

I know this is a simplistic approach to a complicated problem. But maybe, simple interactions may be just what’s needed right now.