Covid-19 may just be offering each of us the gift of a lifetime. The challenges are extremely real, but so are the opportunities right now.
During times of extreme stress even the “strongest” among us can lapse into confusion, anxiety and fear. That can lead us to
- Respond to our circumstances from fear
- Struggle to sleep, think clearly or make good decisions
- Adopt a rigid mindset, losing objectivity and perspective
- Become increasingly negative as our frustration builds
This is not merely an emotional response, but actually physical, as our body releases cortisol (the “flight or fight” hormone), which directly impacts our brain function, immune system, etc.
In trying to cope with a major watershed event (“Perfect Storm”/“Black Swan Event”) on the scale of the Covid-19 economic crisis, it is absolutely essential to:
- Not miss the significance and scale of what is happening (through misguided optimism/ ignorance/neglect), resulting in being a victim of the circumstances, rather than taking control of one’s own life and circumstances to the extent that that is possible; as well as potentially missing out on significant opportunities that such a situation inevitably presents.
- Start with yourself. You cannot “give” what you do not have available to give.
- Prepare yourself well to address and cope with the currently emerging reality – old formulas will not be sufficient for a new (extremely uncertain!) reality.
PERSPECTIVES FOR FACING THIS SITUATION HEAD ON, NOW
It seems increasingly clear that this is a HUGE game changer and that society will be transformed (potentially very radically!) by the impact of it over the next 2+ years. The bottom line – it seems already that there will never be a “getting back to business as usual”, even if the epidemic were to end fully, internationally, within the next few months …?! The economic impact is already bringing transformation at every level.
Right now nobody knows objectively and factually exactly what is going on. It is totally unhelpful to be distracted by conspiracy theories/the supposed cause of the epidemic, and whether “they” are dealing with it correctly, as that is quite irrelevant to your personal need to focus on how to thrive in an imploding/transforming economy and to use this opportunity optimally.
No matter how desperate things look for you right now, know that
- a) there are many, many other people who are also trying to cope with this situation, so you are really not alone in this, and
- b) it will eventually end. What you can do is to take positive action for yourself, now.
Determine to understand reality as best possible and to deal with that very intentionally.
Rather than viewing this situation as a “crisis”, choose to reframe it as an exceptionally rare gift – literally a once in a lifetime opportunity to recalibrate your life so that you can thrive in future, irrespective of what has gone before. It is time for a fresh start.
Choose to view your past as preparation for now – the good, the bad and the ugly! Take all the benefits that you can from it and move on bravely to deal with the current reality.
Starting with your own needs does not indicate “neediness” (i.e. weakness). You are taking control of what you need to have in place in order to be able to thrive from now onwards, in the ways that you decide are most important to you.
PRACTICAL FIRST STEPS – ADDRESS YOUR OWN NEEDS
- Do not allow yourself to go into denial / hibernation / vacation mode.
- That is the very worst option, as it will delay and compound your ability to survive and thrive, potentially missing huge opportunities that require informed, focused action.
- Get very clear about what your own current needs are
- What is stopping you from thriving right now as a person? Do not resort to blaming this crisis, which is merely highlighting very dramatically the things in your life that need attention; presenting you with an incredible opportunity to do something about it!
- What should you do differently, starting right now, that will enable you to thrive?
- What are your criteria for “Quality of Life”?
- What really energises/brings out the best in you?
- What limits you/totally flattens your battery?
- NB: if you are already in serious personal meltdown, please do not feel alone or “beyond help”. You really do matter. here is an article that will help you to focus and to get the right help to be able to soon thrive.
- Take control of the things that you can control.
That will give you a feeling of power amidst all the helplessness and confusion swirling about you. It could help to make a list of
- what you do know factually, and
- what you are able to do about that; and,
- what you cannot and so would be wasting your emotions stressing over.
Become clear as to where you want to invest energy and possibly some money (self-education; some new software; a website …?). Then prioritise and start work.
- Create structure for your days/life
- It is an established fact that as humans we rely on order and structure to give us a sense of wellbeing.
- While the level/form of structure that we need varies widely between unique individuals, there is great danger in allowing ourselves to develop bad habits.
- Here is a link to an excellent article that will help you to get started.
IDENTIFY THE OPPORTUNITIES FACING YOU RIGHT NOW
Can you identify any opportunities that this monumental shake-up could be presenting you to reinvent yourself, or change what you do, how you do it, who you do it for, which could have a massively positive long-term impact on your life? You may never again have such a potentially life transforming opportunity.
- Please do include healthy relationships, healthy nutrition and regular exercise, whatever your perspective of these has been in the past, as they really are absolutely critical to our wellbeing.
Here is a link that will take you to many resources that will teach you all about what a healthy lifestyle genuinely looks like and how to get there.
- In a season of exponential change (speed and scale of change), it may well be very unwise to stay with what has served you very well in the past.
Is it not possibly time to reinvent yourself for the new reality that is emerging? Certainly find the courage to recognise and stop doing the things that are no longer relevant, or currently helpful. Let go of them, or they could become your biggest handicap going forward.
- What have you “got in your hand”?
As you reconnect with who you really are, it is essential to know that you are absolutely unique. Recognise and embrace the value of that! Out of the deep understanding of that where can you uniquely make a difference for someone else? You may be astounded to realise just what that could mean to you in terms of fulfilment and potential financial rewards …
- Can you accelerate your ongoing learning during this season?
- What projects have you neglected for “one day”, that it would be extremely beneficial to focus on completing right now, as they will take you into your new you/service offering?
Right now you have an incredibly rare gift in your hand, for a limited period of time only … time! Adopt an investment mindset and invest that time in yourself very wisely.
It would be a privilege to engage with you if you would like some coaching on this transformative journey. Have a look at my website for more information.
(Based on the wisdom of Joseph V Cavanaugh lll).
Alan Ter Morshuizen Life Architect
