Managing new Reality with COVID19!

I want to talk about some recommendations around keeping your mental health in check and also the effects of COVID-19 on our jobs and businesses and how can we use this time to help us navigate the new challenges.. I wanted to share some strategies and recommendations with you all that might be helpful in the managing of this very unusual circumstance that we all suddenly find ourselves in.
In a matter of weeks, all of our lives have changed almost 360 degrees. We went from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to being isolated for most of our day staying inside our homes like we have never been before. So, what do you and how do we manage these new circumstances?
Are you all feeling brain chaos right now because of the ways that we are all being triggered?
The first thing that I want to start with and explain is that our fear at these times is absolutely coming from our thoughts. There are circumstances that are neutral in the world and there are things that are happening that are facts and then there’s how you think about them, feel and respond to them. I wanted you to see the difference.
However, all through history there have been many experiences presented to people that create emotions and thoughts that need to be managed. This situation is no different. With all the chaos happening around the world, it’s important to distinguish that there are simply facts out in the world and then there’s our brain and only one of them causes us to freak out. So, it’s important for us to see the circumstances for what they are, not better or worse and intentionally choose the thoughts that we want to think about and make our mental health stronger.
Because, what other choices do we have? Break down and let the circumstances control us? That doesn’t seem very wise, does it?
This situation is absolutely testing our mental toughness and this is the time to build those mental muscles so we become more resilient despite the chaos.
Even though it’s uncertain, even though it’s different, even though it’s collective, it is still an opportunity for us to really practice the skills that will make our lives free from unnecessary suffering. I love to compare this to the example of the stock market and how the ups and downs of it are all the effects of our thinking. It’s people thinking and anticipating and selling in a frenzy because of what’s going on in their brain and what our brain makes things mean. Also watch the effects of the news on our brain. It’s ok to be informed but not ok to be absorbed into hours of endless news that negatively influences your feelings and eventually your thoughts.
The job market has taken a plunge as well. There has been many industries that have laid off workers such as food service, hospitality, tourism as well as some retail. However, there are also other industries that are hiring workers right now. Sectors that are hiring are obviously the Government and nonprofits, Health care, Biotech and Pharmaceuticals, business service firms and even Amazon. So for those of you looking for work right now, you want to still make yourself marketable and think outside the box because I am sure that you might have lots of transferable skills to apply to these industries and meet current demands. Also, you can reach out to your service providers and see what relief you can get if you might have lost your income and are looking for financial help at this time.
Seek out these industries even if it’s temporary or contractual work. Since we were all handed the gift of time at this time, this might also be a good reflection time as to consider which transitions you might want to make from the career that maybe you got comfortable in before or to even start your own business.
Speaking of business, even though this might not look like the optimal time to start a business, I suggest that you think again. This is a good time to get creative and start business ideas that serve new unique needs such as virtual meetings, virtual school curriculums, managing virtual teams and so much more. As we all know that the world will never be the same after COVID-19, so this might be a good time to reflect on new needs that are being created and how to find solutions to meet those needs for people at this time or even after the return to the new normal.