DEAR HARRIETTE: I accepted a position at a company that’s been experiencing a lot of turnover. I didn’t know this until I started working here, and I find that it makes it hard for me to stay motivated when I see people leaving every few months. The office is fairly small (around 20), yet I have seen four new hires in my two months working here. How can I stay motivated at a company where all the others just pack their bags when it gets tough? -- Keep Your Head Up, Arlington, Virginia
DEAR KEEP YOUR HEAD UP: Set a goal for yourself at this company, something big enough to be a stretch. Next, map out a strategy to meet that goal that includes working with fellow team members to show your collaborative spirit but that allows for enough independence that if someone were to leave, it wouldn’t handicap you. When people leave, say goodbye as you keep your eyes on your prize. You should know that people who stay at jobs long enough to make a positive and long-lasting impact on the company, its staff and the bottom line tend to move on successfully to other businesses because they are establishing track records of success that will follow them. You have a chance to build a stellar reputation of being responsible, hard-working, loyal and committed by keeping yourself focused -- no matter who goes through that revolving door.