Help During Hard Times
Here we are, over 16 days of “sheltering in place”, and as local and state governments push the end dates back further and further, we continue to adjust to our new normal. Staying home, virtual work, virtual play, and many hours consumed on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Netflix.
Does this describe you? How are you choosing to spend your time during this pandemic? Have you fallen into the life of pajamas, sweatpants, snacking from boredom, and binge-watching Love is Blind? No judgement here, as I understand there is no textbook for this. There is no “Global Pandemic Existence for Dummies” to read up on. As a matter of fact, if you Google how to survive during the COVID-19 crisis, you will see things like take up hobbies, stock up on tools and kits for electronics, and create distractions. In a nutshell, make sure all your televisions, computers, and phones are working so you can take advantage of the above options.
What if we all became “self-learners”? What if we chose to spend the hours doing things that add no value to our existence, to hours of doing things that benefit our lives, our relationships, our careers, or our finances? Here are a few things to schedule into your days that will surely pay dividends at some point in your future.
1. Mindfulness
Mindfulness, or awareness is a true skill. With all the distractions in today’s world, try to sit in silence for a minute, close your eyes, and take 10 breaths. If you are like everyone else, your mind will be bouncing from thought to thought like a pinball machine. To help with your mindfulness, download a meditation app and start a daily practice. 5 minutes in the morning and you will be surprised at what you can learn. I have been using “Waking Up”, which is a FREE app in the App Store.
2. Stay Active
You don’t have to be a bodybuilder or a swimsuit model. There are so many benefits to just staying active. Something as little as a 10-minute walk, 3 times per day will help. Many popular fitness apps are being offered for FREE during this time, and every fitness class you have ever wanted to take, is available to stream in the privacy of your own home. Take advantage of them and pick the ones that work best for you. I have found that wearing a MyZone monitor and connecting with friends through social platforms helps keep me accountable, as well as allowing me to progress in rank or status for points earned during activity. That feature keeps me engaged.
3. Podcast
Leadership, Relationships, Finance, Dealing with Stress, Managing a Business during COVID-19, and the list goes on. Just Google podcasts for a subject you are interested in and start listening. Make sure you are listening with a “solution oriented” mindset. If you can take 1 thing away from each podcast, and you listen to 3 per week, think about the impact that could have on your life after just 1 month compounded. Now 3 months, 6 months, or a year.
4. Learn Something New
What better way to take advantage of this time than to learn something new? As part of my job I am often called upon to speak to large groups. I do not have any “formal” speaker training and since the COVID-19 pandemic, I have enrolled in a “Toastmasters Club” for public speaking. I have taken Power Point courses and even downloaded the “Simply Guitar” app to learn how to play the guitar. Have you wanted to learn a second language? Maybe there is a college course you are interested in. Did you know that edx.org offers over 2500 FREE college courses from universities such as Harvard, MIT, Berkley, and more? What a great way to spend this time? Studying Project Management from MIT or Marketing Analytics from Columbia and so many more. What is something you would like to learn?
5. Supporting Others
We are all in this together. In society today, everyone is engaged on Social Media. With the feeling of isolation that comes with sheltering in place, Social Media can be the only connection to the world, for some. What if we all made a point to support everyone who is putting themselves out there. When somebody posts about a workout, “like” it or “comment” on it. When somebody posts a supportive or helpful quote, “share” it. “Post it forward”. Who are you thankful for? Take the initiative and purposefully mention them in a positive post. The more we engage in a positive way and the more support we show each other during this time, the closer we will be when this is all over.
This pandemic is having a massive impact, globally. I hope these tips will be beneficial to you and your family as you stay the course and work through these times. Please stay safe, and always remember “the obstacle is the way”. If we choose to use this time wisely, we will emerge from this stronger, smarter, and more prepared for life than ever before.
Stay Strong!