What does your great work-life look like? Have you taken the time to create a richly detailed picture in your mind of what it will be like to be thriving?

One of the most profound paradoxes of business is the finding that setting aside individual interests for the goals of the team actually leads to a higher level of personal satisfaction and productivity. It’s counter-intuitive to choose the collective interests over one’s own, but management research has demonstrated repeatedly that teams accomplish more and the individual members are happier with their contribution to the work effort.

A business coaching client—a bright, dedicated and talented manager—complained that her office felt very chaotic right now. She said that business was picking up again, which was a welcome sign, but the staff was reacting negatively.

As I write, I’m interrupted by news flashes that the stock market hit its lowest point in nearly three years. I feel the tension beginning to build—my own and that of the media. Is this the beginning of another economic decline? How can we expect to thrive in this tumultuous business environment?

Last week I spoke to a group of administrative professionals on the topic, ‘Thriving in the Changing Work Place.” These men and women have been through three years of budget cuts, staff reductions, shifitng responsibilities and reduced resources. Their managers complain of feeling like the circus jugglers, trying to accomplish everything expected of them with smaller budgets and they expect their administrative personnel to take on more responsibility. The entire system is under stress and work-life is not enjoyable for most people right now.