It’s now a fact that coronavirus has hit us all hard. This is more so for business owners. Even the businesses that are thriving in this season are being affected because there is so much that is unknown.
People are scared and overwhelmed. The increasing uncertainty, rumours and negativity aren’t helping.
For example, last week, people at the Coast of Kenya were woken up by friends and family with the advice that drinking sugarless black tea will keep the virus away. I won’t even go into the supposed person who had given this advice because it’s totally absurd!
However, people took the advice and many drunk loads of sugarless black tea, or turungi as we call it in Swahili. Only to find out later that this was a hoax. This wasn’t even funny because someone was playing with people’s hopes and emotions. I won’t even think of the negative repercussions in people’s minds when they discovered it was a lie.
Last week, I shared some of the challenges I’ve gone through and the new normal I’ve created. Today, I want to encourage you: DON’T fill your free time with fear. Instead of worrying about the uncertain future, use this time positively.
Some fear-busting suggestions for everyone
Get off TV and social media
Fear of missing out (FOMO) is holding people hostage to updates. While things are changing very fast, you don’t have to get updates in real-time. Also, many of the social media and WhatsApp groups are sharing information that’s scary and unnecessary. While it may not be possible to totally disconnect, choose wisely and ensure that you don’t fill your mind with more scary stuff.
Build me-time and downtime in your day
Working from home is not easy and it’s scary for a lot of people. This is more so if you’re working from home and also supervising your children’s homeschooling. Remember to take care of yourself too. Have a nap in the middle of the day. Choose to work fewer hours if need be and make these hours count. Go easy on yourself. Rest as much as you can because things will get hectic once this pandemic is over.
Do something you’ve been putting off
Reconnect with your hobbies. Learn something new. Read that book you’ve been saying you have no time for. Listen to your favourite music. Write a song. Write your book (finally). Clear out the clutter. Revamp your home (even if you just move things around). Do something different.
Get some Vitamin D
Get out in the sunlight each day while maintaining social distancing. Don’t use your phone then. Instead, look around and appreciate nature. This will improve your mood and give you some much-needed vitamin D.
Play
One of my friends told me she rediscovered her inner child by playing with her children. So she’s built play-time into her schedule. You can do the same with your loved ones physically or online.
Watch comedies and motivating movies
No need to say more about this.
Live a day at a time
I’m a planner by nature so I have 10-year, 5-year, 3-year, and 1-year plans. I’m also used to breaking my annual plans into monthly goals, weekly objectives, and daily actions. That’s all been thrown out of the window by COVID-19.
I also had to abandon my plan for March halfway through the month. It wasn’t easy getting used to taking a day at a time, but the end result has been amazing. For one, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that I achieved much more in March than I expected. I even slayed a big monster by doing live video meetings.
My plans are now more of a wish-list because there truly is no way of knowing how long this season will last or how it will end. It’s much easier to live a day at a time.
Call someone
There are a lot of people who are struggling especially the elderly and single people who are in seclusion. Call them. Do video calls on WhatsApp or online if you can. While we can’t visit, we certainly can bring some inspiration into other people’s lives. Show someone or some people that you care.
Some ideas for women entrepreneurs
Fortify your business so that you come back stronger than before. Read on to see how I can help you brainstorm solutions in a complimentary Discovery Call.
Connect with past and present customers to find out how they’re doing. Some may actually buy from you in the process.
Rework your business plan: COVID-19 is probably the biggest threat your business will ever face. Every threat comes with one or more hidden opportunities that you can take advantage of now or in the future. What are the hidden gems for your business?
Review your regular expenditure: Now that you have downtime, you can examine where your business income goes. I’m 100% sure you’ll find many unnecessary expenses that you can do away with now or when things calm down.
Review your income: The Pareto Principle applies in business as well. So 80% of your income comes from about 20% of your customers, products or programs. Identify your 20% and create a plan to find more of them going forwards.
Be innovative: This pandemic is teaching us that it’s no longer business as usual. For one, everyone has to go online whether your business is physical or not. What can you do to take your business online? How can you maximize the free resources being offered online to learn and take action now?
[Update: May 2021]
Here’s how I can help
In 2020, I hosted virtual Brown Bag weekday lunchtime meetings and the Break Free Facebook group to help women connect and network as we worked through our new normals. Both resources created an empowered community of high-achieving women who came together in a positive space.
These resources are no longer available and have been replaced by the following free resources. You’re welcome to join us if you’re interested in moving from fear to getting empowered.
1. Blog posts
This blog has a lot of resources on topics that include overcoming fear, self-care, personal growth, business startup, business growth, and leadership. Just click the Search button at the top of the blog post pages and insert the tag you’re looking for. If you can’t get an article that would help you, contact me and let me know what you’d like us to research and write about. We’ll do our best to accommodate the most common requests.
2. Book a complimentary 20-minute Discovery Call
This call is useful if you’re feeling stuck and don’t know which direction to take. The call gives you time to discuss your needs and for us to identify if our programs are right for you. Click here to book your call today.
3. Sign up for the weekly newsletter
I share a personal story or challenge each week with the newsletter subscribers. There are also occasional bonuses and special offers just for our subscribers plus a link to the week’s blog post.
One of the bonuses is the monthly Take a Breathe and Unwind call that is hosted on Zoom on the third Saturday of each month. This call brings together women who are ready to connect, motivate and inspire each other.
Click this link to Subscribe to the newsletter.
Over to you…
We’re living in a challenging time, the kind of which will probably not be seen in a hundred years or more. How we weather this storm depends on what we allow ourselves to focus on.
Fear is a natural reaction that can easily get out of hand. It’s easier to fill your mind with fear than with hope. I hope you choose to do something different instead of letting fear control your life to the extent that it keeps you from taking action.
I’d love to hear from you:
- How are things going for you in this season?
- What are you focusing on?
- What strategies have you put in place to manage fear?
- What’s working and what would you like to change?
Please share your experience in the Comments.
In the meantime, keep well and stay safe.
(Image credit: Unsplash)
