In reality, COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world forever. Old in-person jobs and positions will be alleviated, and new innovative ones will be created. Corporate America, non-profit organizations, and small businesses will run differently. Most importantly, people will change, physically, emotionally, professionally and intellectually. Where will you fall; ahead of the game or behind the eight ball?
"Under pressure, you don't rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training." -Derick Bailey
How will this moment define you?
BE Creative
Reconnect with the inner you. Grow your imagination and do something different, something new. As kids, fear wasn't even in our vocabulary. We just created new things and new possibilities. Focus on building a refined version of yourself. Be assertive! Carve out at least one hour a day to focus on a new skill, personal development or to obtain more knowledge.
SEEK Opportunity
When this is over, the traditional 9 to 5 will expire. It had a good run, but it had to eventually give way. Think positive, this pandemic will open new doors, we just have to be confident enough to walk through them. Success is built through consistency, finding opportunities continuously until satisfied. FOCUS on your long-term goals and create short-term milestones that will help accomplish them. Reduce negative noise and create boundaries in and outside of your home, while exploring the meaning of love and work. Do activities that create personal and economic independence. Prepare your business masterplan, become a CEO. Apply for that advance degree or certificate. Take the first step and DO NOT look back. DO, ACT, GROW!
LIVE Gracefully
Family, love, self-worth is all we have during times like today. Society has found a way to keep us away from loved ones while creating inner self battles. Social media has caused us to live life through someone else, even if that isn't the life a person is actually living. This crisis has grounded all of us, re-defining what it means to wake up with love and laughter. Don’t just check in with family and friends, take this time to understand them intellectually, emotionally and internally. Most importantly take this time to fall in love with yourself. Practice relaxation and stress techniques. Do self-love activities. Write affirmation while replacing negative phrases with positive ones.
EMBRACE Innovation
Say it with me; MULTIPLE STREAMS OF INCOME! We have all been forced to use technology; the old and the young. It has created a path to build generational wealth through innovation. If we identify what we are good at doing, in conjunction with our passion, while reconnecting with our inner child, we can build an innovative way of living. We can become trendsetters by establishing multiple streams of income and increasing the odds of financial sustainability doing what we love, and making money doing it. Build on our own dreams, STOP working toward someone else. Get out of your own head. Look in the mirror and tell yourself, “I EMBRACE INNOVATION” then go innovate.
DRIVE your Passion and Purpose
Our position and status, the future success of our wealth, depends on what we do in this moment. Be encouraged, challenge yourself and simulate your mind. Identify your passion and purpose and work toward it. We can accomplish whatever we put our minds to especially if it has meaning to us. Whether you are working or not working, enrolled in school undergrad or higher ed, running a small business or building one; give it your all. Remember your why with the next level in mind. DRIVE your action with passion and purpose. You can influence future outcomes with hard work and dedication.
How will this moment define you?
Be the person who leads from the front, not the person who is left behind watching. Be thankful, together we have been universally halted. Take this time to reflect on life, strengthen personal and professional weaknesses while building economic stability with enhanced skills and ability. We have all the time in the world until we don't. Let this moment define your greatness, not your demise.
“Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it, you can never get it back.” -Harvey Mackay
References:
1. WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by Smitha Bhandari, MD (2020). Stress Management retrieved at https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management
2. Brown. A, (2019). 62 Stress management Techniques, Strategies & Actives retrieved at https://positivepsychology.com/stress-management-techniques-tips-burn-out/