Many Filipinos find themselves helpless. Some say that they no longer know the days of the week. Every day seems to be the same.
Of course, there was a time when people have to work from Monday to Friday, then enjoy their weekends. The weekends can be a time to rest and refresh. It can be time to meet friends, go to churches, and do shopping.
A long weekend, like today, is a time to enjoy life.
But no more.
We live in the most abnormal of times. We are required to stay at home or risk being arrested or infected by an enemy we cannot see.
We are afraid. We lost our balance. We felt not in control and helpless.
Many people think that even if the virus cannot kill us, our fears will destroy us.
I have good news for you.
We are not helpless. We can choose our response. We can take charge.
And I am not going to tell you to think positive (though that actually helps).
Start with this one thing for this will make a great difference.
We expect the lockdown to end on April 14. But the government may extend it to April 30 or May 30. We don’t really know.
What we know is that tomorrow will come. Then another tomorrow. And another tomorrow.
We aren’t prisoners who are counting down our days to freedom. We may not have control over our situation, but there are things, no matter small, that we can control.
One thing within our control is how we spend our days.
So, here’s what we can do. (This is simple, I promise).
Consider two or three things that you can accomplish given your unique situation. List tasks for each. Create a schedule to accomplish each task. Then start your day doing what’s in your calendar.
Like magic, Mondays will no longer be the same as Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. You can choose how to spend your days. (You will still be in a box, but you can choose to color and put valuable things your box.)
For example, I have chosen to write books.
As a speaker, I found it difficult to find a “free time” to get started on writing. I realized that more than 15 days have passed. And though I kept myself busy with backyard farming, I can do more.
Now is the best time to write a book, record a podcast, create an online course, or craft a world-changing speech.
I do not have time for these during ordinary days. I have now.
I started working on three books. Here are the working titles:
- Bounce Forward
-Thrive in Tough Times - Deliver Epic Speeches
I know that the way I do business will no longer be the same.
Team building months are gone, for now.
Companies will cut budgets for training.
Speaking gigs might wait another sixty or ninety days.
But I know that I am in charge.
Though times are tough, I will thrive.
Find something you can control. Take charge. Thrive in tough times.
