“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Benjamin Franklin
Planning is how we make use of time and setting goals is hardwired in most of us to achieve anything. Yet, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty has become the master of the scene, affecting our lives dramatically, and bringing most plans to a halt. However, the good news is that you can still stick to your plan by applying some tweaks on it to make it achievable in the light of the new circumstances.
First of all, changing your mindset to accept the new normal and adjust to it would be your silver lining; trying to change what is out of your control is just a waste of time. Of course, the new situation would lead you to experience a new set of emotions; not all of them are positive, but you have to deal with them. It is ok to feel vulnerable, scared, angry, and uncomfortable. It is important not to put too much pressure on yourself; all you have to do is to create the room for your mind to focus on things that matter to you and remember the time and energy spent planning the year and dreaming about a better tomorrow with fulfilled dreams and goals.
As it may not seem that easy to go on without useful tips, here are some helpful ones that may help you stick to your plan in the face of the unsettled nature of this experience.
- Find a purpose for what you do. A plan without a purpose would end up just hope without taking any action. Although in normal circumstances setting a long-term plan is essential to succeed, in this time setting, short-term planning is much more important and effective to feel the progress and avoid the anxiety that emerges from slow achievement.
- Focus on what you can do right now and the next action. Choose plans based on actions that are closest to you to optimize productivity. When goals seem too large to tackle, breaking them into smaller goals and actions is the best way to get started. The most important thing is to start with an action and it would become easier to see the next steps.
- Find the ideal work/study space in which you would be able to be creative and feel comfortable and concentrate. This also means avoiding places where you normally relax to eliminate laziness and be able to distinguish between work and home mode.
- Plan your day and set routines and timetables. Routines are important as they direct you towards moving from one immediate action to another. You also should prioritize your activities and organize tasks to make the most of every single day. Include other activities like rest breaks to recharge, exercise to feel physically active, and time to socialize to feel mentally active.
- Spend time upskilling through online courses. Keep in mind that if you do want to learn a new skill or language be prepared for it to happen slowly.
- Add Exercise and meditation to your schedule. Exercising will help you maintain a healthy body and mind, and relieve stress and anxiety. Also, meditation helps in calming the nervous system and the mind and provides clarity of thought during a challenging time.
“Where there is a will, there is a way”
There is nothing wrong with slowing down and changing the way you approach your dreams. Being able to adapt to new circumstances is a gift in itself and it shows strength in personality and ability to thrive in difficult times by highlighting the importance of being aware and cautious about spending your time and energy.
References
cnbc.com
forbes.com
independent.co.uk
theguardian.com
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