Practical next steps to take during COVID-19
Hi. I'm Bec Sands, and I help you pivot to a career or business you love.
Major measures have just been announced in Australia and of course, across the world, to help flatten the curve of the coronavirus.
Many of us in isolation at home, working from home and unable to go out except for essential services.
This is a very important measure to help prevent the spread of the virus, and we must stay indoors. We all need to take this seriously but there’s no need to panic.
There are some practical things that we can do to continue moving forward and to move through this so that, as the PM says, we can build a bridge to the other side.
These are some of the practical steps we’re taking in my household as Australia goes into lockdown and the economy deteriorates further - and what you can do too.
1. Look at your budget and financials. Where can you reduce costs for a few months?
Look at things like subscriptions, memberships, and other non-essentials that you don’t need in your daily life or to complete your work. Plan a meeting with your accountant or financial advisor to assist you in how the government’s financial measures can support your household. Where you can, defer repayments.
2. If you’re working from home with your partner, children or others, create a plan.
Don’t just leave it up to chance because it’s sure to create arguments. For example, develop a schedule for your home office or workspace. Particularly if one of you is on a lot of video calls or on the phone a lot, it can be distracting for the other. Which rooms will you work in, and when? Who will take care of the kids, and when? Weekly planners are awesome for this. It could also be useful to create a plan for who is responsible for things like cooking and cleaning, and when.
3. Schedule your weeks in advance.
Just because you’re working from home, or even if you’re not working, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get a lot done. Now is the time to get organised, segment your time, and move forward with the projects you may not have had time to complete previously – whether they’re paid or not.
4. Flex your creativity.
What’s one thing that you’ve been wanting to do or try for ages, but haven’t had the time to do? Even if you’re still working full-time from home, schedule in the hour you’d normally use to commute and get started on your project. After all – I think we can agree right now that life can change in an instant, life is very short, and there’s no better time than the present to do what we want to do or we can blink and miss out. Whether it’s learn a language or instrument, write a book, paint or draw, learn to cook… There’s never been a better time than now.
5. Be patient with each other.
Collective tension is high, and this is an incredibly stressful time for us all. Combined with being in the home together all day every day in many cases, we’re going to feel emotional. Now is the time to ask each other: what do you need? How can I support you? Give each other space where you can and be mindful about your thoughts. It’s never been more important to meditate at least once daily for 10 minutes to reduce stress.
Sending massive amounts of well wishes during this time. Take care of yourself. We will get through this!
