Get Growing! Tools and Strategies for Living, Working and Relating Well
The COVID-19 Challenge
March 24, 2020
During these troubling and challenging times…
C'mon! Enough gloom and doom. Let’s reframe this, i.e. look at it from a different perspective. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing good about COVID-19, but there are some good things about the changes we need to make in response to it. All of us (I hope) are already practicing social distancing. Here in Illinois, a Stay at Home order has been issued and other states are likely to follow.
It may seem as if life is on hold…but is it? This newsletter has been on my to-do list for months, but thanks to the Stay at Home order…Voila! Now is the time to blow the dust off your to-do list and start tackling it. Been meaning to catch up with an old friend? Grab your phone and have a conversation. What a concept! Got a closet that needs reorganizing or a filing cabinet that needs purging? There’s no time like the present.
At the risk of sounding Pollyannaish, this cloud does have a silver lining. Here on the home-front, our adult son is hunkering down with my husband and me. As a result, we’ve had more meals together this past week than in the last six months! My nephew who is a musician on a cruise ship reported that all passengers have disembarked, leaving the crew to enjoy all the perks. His living quarters have been upgraded to a luxurious suite, he watches beautiful sunsets from his balcony and dines on gourmet meals. Not too shabby.
Yes, bad things are happening, but dwelling on them doesn't serve us. Many have lost their jobs, but other kinds of employment are now available. As doors close, windows of opportunity open. Now is the time to be creative, resourceful and innovative. To think out-of-the-box and explore new possibilities. To step out of your comfort zone and embrace this new normal.
Here is the COVID-19 Challenge:
1. Choose optimism: Starting today and each day thereafter, identify at least one good thing about social distancing/staying at home. This is a reminder that the glass is half-full, not half empty. Ask yourself, what is the gift of this situation?
2. Gratitude: You may be tired of hearing about gratitude, but if there was ever a time when being grateful was important, now is the time. At the end of each day, think of at least one thing you are grateful for. This is a reminder that good things still happen, in spite of the pandemic.
3. Roll with it: This is uncharted territory for all of us. It will take some getting used to. Some days will be easier than others. Through trial and error you will develop a new set of strategies. The good news is that human beings are highly adaptable. You’ll figure it out…one day at a time.
4. Stick to your routine as much as possible: Our daily habits and routines give us a sense of control over our lives. Now more than ever, we need the comfort and structure they provide. Granted, they may need to be modified, but they can be our anchor, our home base.
5. Focus on what you can do vs. what you can’t do: For example, I can’t go to work = I can work from home. I can’t go to the gym = I can take a walk outdoors or take an online exercise class. I lost my job/can’t work from home = I can explore new possibilities and resources, seek other types of employment or start working toward a goal that has been on hold. Focus on opportunity vs. limitation. Remember, what you focus on grows.
6. Extreme Self-Care: Be kind to yourself. Carve out some me-time each day to read, relax, take a walk, watch a favorite show, whatever recharges your batteries. It’s hard to be there for others if you’re not there for yourself. There's nothing selfish about this, self-preservation is a top priority.
Yes, these are trying times. We must try to remain positive. We must try to stay connected even though social distancing separates us. We must try to remain kind and patient with our stay-at-home mates. We must 'make lemonade.'
Ask yourself, what is my biggest challenge right now? and then take appropriate action. You can do this. Life goes on…this too shall pass.
Want to hear more about COVID-19 Silver linings? Check this out!
"A problem is a chance for you to do your best." ~ Duke Ellington
If you know of anyone who might find this newsletter of interest, please feel free to pass it along ~
The COVID-19 Challenge
March 24, 2020
During these troubling and challenging times…
C'mon! Enough gloom and doom. Let’s reframe this, i.e. look at it from a different perspective. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing good about COVID-19, but there are some good things about the changes we need to make in response to it. All of us (I hope) are already practicing social distancing. Here in Illinois, a Stay at Home order has been issued and other states are likely to follow.
It may seem as if life is on hold…but is it? This newsletter has been on my to-do list for months, but thanks to the Stay at Home order…Voila! Now is the time to blow the dust off your to-do list and start tackling it. Been meaning to catch up with an old friend? Grab your phone and have a conversation. What a concept! Got a closet that needs reorganizing or a filing cabinet that needs purging? There’s no time like the present.
At the risk of sounding Pollyannaish, this cloud does have a silver lining. Here on the home-front, our adult son is hunkering down with my husband and me. As a result, we’ve had more meals together this past week than in the last six months! My nephew who is a musician on a cruise ship reported that all passengers have disembarked, leaving the crew to enjoy all the perks. His living quarters have been upgraded to a luxurious suite, he watches beautiful sunsets from his balcony and dines on gourmet meals. Not too shabby.
Yes, bad things are happening, but dwelling on them doesn't serve us. Many have lost their jobs, but other kinds of employment are now available. As doors close, windows of opportunity open. Now is the time to be creative, resourceful and innovative. To think out-of-the-box and explore new possibilities. To step out of your comfort zone and embrace this new normal.
Here is the COVID-19 Challenge:
1. Choose optimism: Starting today and each day thereafter, identify at least one good thing about social distancing/staying at home. This is a reminder that the glass is half-full, not half empty. Ask yourself, what is the gift of this situation?
2. Gratitude: You may be tired of hearing about gratitude, but if there was ever a time when being grateful was important, now is the time. At the end of each day, think of at least one thing you are grateful for. This is a reminder that good things still happen, in spite of the pandemic.
3. Roll with it: This is uncharted territory for all of us. It will take some getting used to. Some days will be easier than others. Through trial and error you will develop a new set of strategies. The good news is that human beings are highly adaptable. You’ll figure it out…one day at a time.
4. Stick to your routine as much as possible: Our daily habits and routines give us a sense of control over our lives. Now more than ever, we need the comfort and structure they provide. Granted, they may need to be modified, but they can be our anchor, our home base.
5. Focus on what you can do vs. what you can’t do: For example, I can’t go to work = I can work from home. I can’t go to the gym = I can take a walk outdoors or take an online exercise class. I lost my job/can’t work from home = I can explore new possibilities and resources, seek other types of employment or start working toward a goal that has been on hold. Focus on opportunity vs. limitation. Remember, what you focus on grows.
6. Extreme Self-Care: Be kind to yourself. Carve out some me-time each day to read, relax, take a walk, watch a favorite show, whatever recharges your batteries. It’s hard to be there for others if you’re not there for yourself. There's nothing selfish about this, self-preservation is a top priority.
Yes, these are trying times. We must try to remain positive. We must try to stay connected even though social distancing separates us. We must try to remain kind and patient with our stay-at-home mates. We must 'make lemonade.'
Ask yourself, what is my biggest challenge right now? and then take appropriate action. You can do this. Life goes on…this too shall pass.
Want to hear more about COVID-19 Silver linings? Check this out!
"A problem is a chance for you to do your best." ~ Duke Ellington
If you know of anyone who might find this newsletter of interest, please feel free to pass it along ~