Staying in Place: Opportunity in Disguise
Working from home and being isolated can bring moods and emotions very different from those we are used to experiencing. While these moods and feelings can at times feel like obstacles, we can often choose to find strength in our changed circumstances.
It’s relatively easy at this time to find ourselves musing or talking about “the big picture” in an effort to create context for this historic pandemic we’re living through. We might even be pointing fingers at or, conversely, applauding our leaders. Regardless of the brevity or frequency of our rhetorical respites, we will always find ourselves coming back to this: ourselves as individuals–who we are.
In this unique historical time of unfamiliar situations–prolonged isolation from coworkers and friends or prolonged exposure to those we live with–we are gifted with an opportunity to become strong, to increase our resiliency. I have heard and felt fear, panic, frustration, and distress followed by reactions and decisions based on emotion, not experience.
Remarkably I have felt a strong sense of solidarity with your family and society in general at this time. People seem kinder, at the moment, and better able to empathize with each other’s diverse hardships. As we encounter our own vulnerabilities we find empathy and resilience.
We need to take a step back and see the world as it is and rationally see the future. It is a great time to understand and apply reason to our days. If you would like we have developed a worksheet using the concepts below.
Let’s break this down into smaller parts: Time, Control, Emotions, Strengths, Opportunities.
Step 1: Time
Time – Break this down in a granular way.
Make the slices more digestible. What are our timeframes to balance our strategies and plans?
- One week
- Two Weeks
- One month
- 3 Months
- 6 Months
- 1 Year
Step 2: Control
Identify what we have control over and what we don’t. Identify what you really have control over in times of inability and change
- Client demand
- Client projects
- New business
- Business on hold
- Customers emotions
- The economy
- Assets: Stocks, cash, housing
- Business-related supplies and inventory
-
-
- Family and Education
- Substantive Supplies: Short term and long term
- Isolation and Socialization
- Emotions: fear, excitement, worry, disappointment
-
-
Consider your own perspective as it relates to what is in your control and what is out of your control. What decisions can you make concerning what’s out of your control? Focus on what you are in control of and maximize your strengths and resilience. Maybe its a good time to focus on your family, or parts of your business or work that you haven’t been able to until this opportunity has arisen.
Step 3: Emotion and Sentiment.
What is driving your mindset today?
What do we need to address and seek help or rationalize?
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Security or Insecurity
- Feelings of being out of Control and or overwhelmed
- Frustration
- Depression
- Helplessness
- Desires
- Passion
- Ambitious
Step 4: Strength and Resilience
Remember who you are. Remember your core personality and traits. Really take stock of who you are, and remember all you are. Use your power and strength to live in to this each day.
- Ambitious
- Determined
- Motivated
- Ardent
- Intelligent
- Committed
- Earnest
- Resolute
- Zealous
- Dedicated
- Industrious
- Results-driven
Conclusion: Opportunities
This is the time to show leadership and strength and take advantage of the changes you are experiencing.
- Time: Use your extra time where you may have fewer meetings and interruptions as productively as we can.
-
- Look at this as an amazing opportunity
- Get ahead of the work you have.
- Explore new ways you can show your strengths in your work.
- Use your knowledge and skills to create and differentiate yourself.
- Stretch your imagination and capabilities differently.
- Allow yourself to reset how you see your daily workflow.
- Show yourself and/or your colleagues how amazing you are even from far.
- See things differently! Take the time to get perspective or change your periscope direction.
-
Take this amazing time to remember who you are, and what you can do. Embrace your core knowledge and experiences that you can utilize differently. Changes always present opportunities with the right lens. Be the best you can be and show the world from a distance who that is.