With everything going on in the world right now, we’re all a little (or a lot) uncertain about what to do. That’s true at work, and it’s true everywhere else, too. And suddenly life in and outside the office is intersecting, as many of us will be working from home for a while.
So, what should you be doing during this new normal? Well, in addition to doing your job (as best you can) and being mindful of anxiety levels and practicing some self-care, you could use this time to focus on some things you don’t usually have time to address.
As a business coach, I suggest you consider tackling some important yet not urgent tasks. And I’ve attached Stephen Covey’s 4 Quadrants to guide you in this wise use of your time. I’m talking specifically about Quadrant II with its activities of improvement, planning and relationship building. You’ll reap rewards from this effort, and you’ll emerge from this current crisis in better shape than before.
Here are a few suggestions that go along with Quad II and will lead to better balance, a fresh perspective and a sense of control in a world where that is increasingly in short supply.
- Databases, templates & dashboards. Updating and cleaning up databases is rarely a priority—but it’s important. Maybe you have a blog list that needs attention. Or perhaps you have a proposal or job-cost template you’ve been using that needs to be more current with updated content. Maybe you need to update leadership, department and even personal dashboards in order to work smarter, not harder. Take time right now to do these things!
- Learn a new skill—or improve the skills you already have. There are tons of podcasts, YouTube videos, audiobooks and online courses available for just about any topic. Find one (or several) to improve your skills and expand your knowledge. Get better professionally.
- Review your customer messaging. Review and update your website. Does your monthly blog come out every five months? Make some necessary adjustments in your content to reflect reality. Or get busy achieving the goal you originally set. Develop a schedule and get several blogs written and ready to go. Update your marketing calendar.
- Think, plan and get organized. This is a time to get clear on what’s important to you, your leadership team and your employees. This also can apply to life outside the office. Create a family calendar so you’ll all be better organized, set up a family group text (for emergencies and just for keeping in touch and reassuring each other), establish new healthy routines.
- Work on other areas of your life. You are going to have more margin. Use that time to focus on you, and use our 7F’s of True Success as your guide. Focus on your fitness, and exercise more; that will relieve stress. Concentrate on your faith—read, pray and reflect on your spiritual life. That will help with anxiety. Spend quality time with your family, especially if your kids are home, too. Bring out the board games, play cards, watch a movie together. Bond, and be grateful that you have the time to do so.
Yes, these next several weeks will be uncertain ones, but here’s what I know for certain: You can use this time to improve yourself, your business and your life in general. Use this (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime period wisely. Focus on you, your family, your faith and your business.
If you do, you’ll come out of this unprecedented time doing what you do better.