Workers nationwide have been hammered with rounds and rounds of layoffs in the past year or two and are left feeling anxious and uncertain about their future with their employer. Since you’d rather not spend 40 hours per week in a state of fear, turn your attention instead to strengthening your value to your company.

Functioning in survivor mode, employees are under heavy stress and may lose their focus. As a result, productivity and ultimately the company’s products suffer. This toxic environment can lead people to feel isolated and desperate to prove themselves. While they may feel it’s necessary to hoard information and look out for only themselves, they hurt the company by cutting off lines of communication. They are, in fact, acting in the exact opposite as they should. For the employees left behind after a company downsize, their anger and resentment may lower their productivity and leave them the next on the chopping block

To get your mind off on of the “what ifs,” start with a self-assessment of your skills, strengths and weaknesses. Examine what you bring to the table and consider other areas you could use those skills. Look at your weaknesses and make a list of strategies to improve them. Read through your last performance review to see if you are still on track with your work goals and if you’ve made any progress improving in the areas that needed work. Write down continued and new goals for yourself, both long-term and short-term. Then work to achieve your goals.

Don’t pay attention to company gossip you hear around the office. It is likely just gossip and will do you no good. Taking it as truth will only cause anxiety or uncertainty. However, if you hear something through the grapevine that genuinely concerns you, arrange for a meeting with your supervisor or an HR representative to clear the air. In your meeting be clear you are concerned about the gossip, but do not sound accusatory. Ask your supervisor for feedback on your job performance, as well.

Don’t overlook the duties you normally do with your eyes closed, like filling out routine paperwork, completing administrative tasks and following company protocol and procedures. Now is not the time to cut corners. Higher-ups are keeping a much closer eye on their staffs, so keep a sharp focus on all of your job duties.

Focus on cutting costs. Downsizing is nearly always implemented as a way to save the company money. Show your supervisor you are committed to the company’s goal to cut costs by figuring out new ways to do so. Take on new projects and tasks not apart of your regular job description. When a company downsizes most tasks are not eliminated, they are redistributed. Volunteer to pick up the slack when others are no longer around.

Also, volunteering for projects increases your visibility to your supervisor and the company VIPs. If you volunteer to give a presentation, you will appear competent and confident. Community outreach projects, like organizing a fundraising event for a local charity, may put you face to face with your company’s CEO faster than attending every company meeting. Attaching your name to articles in the company newsletter will expose you to everyone in your company, including the decision-makers.

Overall, as a company downsizes, remain calm and congenial. If you waste your time complaining and moaning about changes and future layoffs, you will be seen as negative. If you pull people down, they won’t want you around. Your company will recognize its leaders, that is, those who stay focused and upbeat despite the rough times.