Remaining Productive During COVID-19
A Guide for Staying Productive During Uncertain Times
9 Tips for staying productive, calm and rational during uncertain times.
Before we dig in, I want to acknowledge the global pandemic we’re all experiencing. It’s a historic event, and this is not intended to downplay the impact it’s having on the world. I understand the seriousness of the situation; I work every day with clients around the globe and each one of them is affected in some way by Coronavirus (COVID-19). I encourage all readers to follow the recommendations of your country, state, and local health officials.
Now that we’ve recognized the magnitude of what we’re all experiencing, I want to share a few ideas. Much of what I share is counterintuitive to what you’re hearing and experiencing in the mainstream media and online. The tone throughout this article is intended to be respectful. If you feel something is disrespectful, brazen, or brash — please know it was not my intention.
My intent is to encourage, support, and challenge you. I’ll do that by sharing actionable tips for staying focused, calm, and rational during the coronavirus pandemic. I’ll follow each tip with a specific challenge that, when completed, will help you respond to the coronavirus in a way that you will be proud of.
The tips and strategies I share are not easy to embrace or do. It’s much easier to perpetuate chaos and drama than calmness and stability. Acting intentionally is always more challenging than reacting emotionally. However, this is a time when the world needs conscious, thoughtful leaders and I encourage you to be one.
Let’s dig in.
1. Influence your mindset by controlling what you do first thing in the morning
What are you doing immediately upon waking? Are you joining in the chaos and drama or proactively taking steps to get centered? Beginning the day with intention will help you find your rhythm and set the tone for your day. What can you do each morning to help ensure you’re centered, focused, and thoughtful? I challenge you to do some meditation, focused breathing, yoga, or exercise before any other activity in the morning.
2. Set the emotional tone for your family, friends, and colleagues
Reflect on the energy you’re projecting to your family, friends, and colleagues. The energy you project to the world is something you fully control and your energy is impacting those around you. What can you do to reassure them and de-escalate the situation? I challenge you to set the emotional tone for those around you.
3. Determine what you want to spend your time and energy towards each day
Performing at your peak requires clarity about how you are spending your time, focus, and energy each day. But during a crisis like this, it is more important than ever to begin each day with clear priorities. As you likely know, priorities are simply areas of your life that are important and meaningful to you. Priorities include projects you’re focusing on at work or home, activities you want to do, or relationships you want to nurture. I challenge you to begin each day with clarity by identifying your top 3 priorities for the day and blocking time to complete each one.
4. Limit or end your consumption of news and social media
It is one thing to stay informed, but it’s another to allow news and social media to consume significant amounts of your attention and energy each day. Whatever you’re consuming, you’re also thinking about, and what you’re thinking about is affecting you. I’m limiting my news and social media consumption to under 5 minutes per day. If anything drastic changes news-wise, a loved one will call or text me, and I’ll know about it at nearly the same time as if I were consuming the news in real-time. I challenge you to limit your news and social media consumption to under 5 minutes per day.
5. Consume positive content that leads to growth
Not only is it essential to limit or end your news and social media consumption, but it’s crucial to consume positive content that leads to growth. I challenge you to consume content each day through books (either reading or listening) that will have a positive impact and improve or expand upon your current knowledge, skills, or abilities.
6. Use this time to build, create, write, or learn something new
Less face-to-face commitments due to social distancing means your calendar has freed up. Are their ways you can leverage that time to make substantial progress toward your personal or professional goals?
Throughout the years, many clients have mentioned they would love to build an online business or create a secondary income stream. It’s an ideal time to take action. Can you create something in the coming weeks/months that positions you or your business well for years to come? For me, one-on-one coaching doesn’t scale beautifully, so I’m building and creating online courses right now that will generate income for me for the rest of my life. I challenge you to build, create, write, or learn something new during the crisis.
7. Compartmentalize your thoughts and own your responsibilities
We’re all in uncharted territory at this point, but that’s not permission to neglect your responsibilities. There’s zero benefit to adding fuel to an already tense situation rather than focusing on your daily responsibilities. Personally, I need to spend my time creating, thinking, and building positive things. Not obsessing about a pandemic that I have little control over. There is no upside to getting distracted and not executing on what needs to be done right now for your family and colleagues. I challenge you to execute your responsibilities at the highest level possible — including taking exceptional care of yourself and your family during this difficult time.
8. Move and exercise every day
Exercise triggers a surge of healthy chemicals in the brain called endorphins (which make you feel great). Exercise also increases blood flow to the brain which allows your brain to function at a higher level, making you feel more alert during exercise and more focused afterward. Remember, “exercising” doesn’t mean you have to go out and run a marathon. Every little bit of movement helps.
I challenge you to exercise each day.
9. Communicate with your parents and loved ones
We know from university research, social connectedness leads to higher levels of happiness. Social connection is key to well-being across all cultures. Make it a point to stay connected to loved ones throughout this situation. Nurture these relationships in new and creative ways. I challenge you to call your loved ones each day.
Conclusion
I love a quote from the author Katherine Paterson, “To fear is one thing. To let fear grab you by the tail and swing you around is another.” I don’t know when she said it or the context, but I know it’s true. It’s healthy to respond in uncertain times by feeling fear, however, how you react to that fear is something you can influence. We need people right now who are willing to lead, and who choose to respond to their fear thoughtfully and with intention. Will you be one of them?
