Well, we are more than a month into self-isolation due to the coronavirus crisis. Being alone can be a bit unsettling, especially if you’re a social person who enjoys the mental and emotional stimulation that comes with being around others.
However, if you’re an introvert, self-isolating is not a bad thing. In fact, you may prefer the solitude and the fact that there is no pressure to “have to be on” all the time.
If you are an ambivert who likes to be around others but happily goes back into the cave and re-energizes once socializing is over, take time now to understand what drives you. Spend time addressing any personal issues that you need to sort out. Maybe it is a relationship that needs healing, or one you need to let go of. Just do things gracefully, as you might trigger a negative emotional response in someone else.
In addition, take time to meditate, practice gratitude, write, journal, create art, or learn something new. When we get through this time period, you will want to ask yourself several questions: Am I a better person? Am I a better business owner?
Here’s what I mean.
Pivot
Can you pivot in your business and change what you’re working on to adapt to the new times we’re in (for now)? For example, a woman who teaches exercise classes for seniors could not go inside one of the senior homes she works with to lead her class. To make it work, she conducted her class on the lawns of the facility and the senior residents got onto their balconies and did 20 minutes of stretching and light exercises. She brought a microphone, a speaker (the kind a music band would use), and her music.
This achieved a few goals; she was able to do her class, the seniors got healthy exercise and fresh air on their balconies, and they got to change things up. This “pivot” even got the fitness instructor on the local breakfast television show in Toronto (where I live)!
Align with others
Can you look into a joint venture that will help you grow your business? Look to collaborate with a business that is aligned with you, but not in direct competition with you. Look to share clients, money, or expenses, because teaming up with other like-minded business owners can really make a difference in terms of building up your business base.
Study something
Are you carving out time to learn? There are so many opportunities right now to help you learn new skills. Udemy, Babble, and other online learning platforms have deals going on right now. Case in point, I signed up with Udemy to study CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) in a certificate program. I want to come out of the current crisis better and have something new to offer my clients moving forward!
Save money
Are you taking advantage of all the deals out there that will help you save money? In fact, if you are looking to advertise, now is a good time to save money and pay less. One radio station in my area is having a 50%-off sale during this COVID-19 pandemic. People are still listening to the radio, so you may get to build your brand for a lot less if you can afford it.
Not only that, but you can negotiate with your bank for debt forgiveness for a period of time, or pay less rent, or contract out work for a lot less right now.
Engage with your clients
Engage with your clients. Are you reaching out to clients and offering your services for less or for free to help them through this time? Are you supporting your clients in other ways?
Are you adding to the problems we face now or are you healing them? The decision is totally yours. Do you want to be of service and lead, or do you want to stay stuck, complain, and mope? You can do both, as there is no right or wrong here, but you do have a choice. Choose wisely and do things in your life and business that are more life-affirming.
I promise that if you do, you will feel positive right now (or as positive as you can be during this difficult time).
Dream bigger
Dream big right now! Yes, create something in your business or life that lights you up and energizes you. Start small but think big. I mean, what do you have to lose by not thinking big? Remember this quote: “Aim for the stars, because you just might hit it.”
The acronym for all of these points and strategies is PASSED–so when we get “past” the COVID-19 pandemic, you will have PASSED with flying colors!
Please don’t forget to exercise, eat well, get your rest, and check in with those you love.
