Whether you are working from home, or on furlough because your company closed due to Covid 19, one thing is certain, your world today is not the same. If you are like most people, you probably did a self-reflection on how you took advantage of your new quarantine life. What would you answer if asked, “are you stuck in a rut?”
You heard it said that this is your moment to do all those things you have always wanted to do, but never had any time to do it. You either took advantage of your time and started on all those projects, or you spent hours catching up on every popular Netflix series.
One of the key lessons I have learned is that your habits before Covid are probably the same habits you are practicing during Covid. Maybe it was that book you always wanted to write but never could because your life was so hectic. Now you find yourself with ample free time. You might be on day 10, 20, or 30 of quarantine and you have yet to start. You feel discouraged because you realize that it had nothing to do with not having enough time, it was choosing not to take the time to start. It’s about choosing to stay in your comfort zone and avoiding the unknown.
After all, if you try, you might fail. Then, what do you do with “that dream”?
I am here to say, “don’t be so hard on yourself”. Your habits may have gotten you here. You may not have been able to reap what you have never sowed, but it’s never too late to start planting.
The most difficult part of the process is starting to build momentum. The good news is, once momentum starts building, it does get easier. Don’t knock yourself for what you should have done yesterday.
Plan for what you could do today?
What is that plan? Start with 1 step. One step that will bring you forward. One simple goal that when accomplished, will pivot your momentum towards your new goal.
What we are living today, the time we have today would have been unheard of just a few months ago. What you don’t want to do is berate yourself for not doing enough.
What is enough, is up to you.
It’s not always about that next project, it could also be about recharging, reconnecting, reflecting. Sometimes, the most important goal, the most important priorities, can only be understood once you stop being so hard on yourself. Maybe your rut is not a rut after all. Maybe it’s the opportunity to really find out what the right goal should be.
Photo by Mario Azzi on Unsplash