Limiting Languishing
Languishing is getting special attention these days.
As organizational psychologist Adam Grant describes it, languishing isn't as strong as being depressed or burned out - but is strong enough to make us feel like we’re just muddling along, looking through a foggy windshield.
Languishing isn’t a new concept; decades of research have shown that it can disrupt focus and diminish motivation. In fact, we've learned practices for preventing or limiting languishing.
First, we know what doesn’t usually work: simply putting on a happy face.
Pressuring ourselves and others to always look at the bright side can feel dismissive or annoying, as well as veer into a form of toxic positivity.
So...