Create Space to Ideate Around Change
Whether you find yourself with extra time on your hands or maxed out, but hopefully settling into some kind of routine, now is the time to create space for reflection, expansion, and exploration.
Own your own business – do you need to pivot? How do you respond to your customer’s changing needs and behaviors?
In a corporate job, maybe you are thinking – is this what I want, do I want to go back, am I burnt-out? Maybe your role no longer exists.
Change is an opportunity. Start by creating space to embrace the change – mental space, space in time, and even physical space.
Getting Your Mind Clear
Create mental space and clarity for thought, expression and building self-awareness.
Getting your mind to a place that is quiet and open is not only about clearing your mind to allow ideas and thoughts to enter without judgement, it is also about health and wellness - optimizing brain function.
How do you find stillness? Meditating is great (I am working on my practice as we speak!), yoga, and breath work are all great ways to clear your mind of the daily noise.
Mental space can be taken up by those worries (and for many it’s financial stress right now), guilt (about family time or not getting to that home cooked meal), negative self-talk, or comparisons. I could dedicate an entire post to these common challenges. One suggestion is a brain dump – the concept behind Julia Cameron’s morning pages.
Turn off external distractions. Take 30 – 60 mins with no phone, no email, and no social media.
Strength your mind with a healthy sleep schedule, eating well, exercising, and drinking water. Give yourself the rest and fuel you need to be present during your personal time.
Finding the Time
Carving out personal, “me” time is important as we navigate this pandemic. Not only so that we can check in with our feelings but also so we can reflect on what it means for you personally, professionally, emotionally, spiritually, and in whatever ways you are experiencing an impact.
This starts with setting boundaries, a challenge particularly for women as we tend to be people pleasers. This goes beyond drawing lines between work and personal time. That is a good first step.
Definitely apply all the suggestions out there (get showered and dressed, set your workday – clock-in, clock-out, designate a workspace if you can).
But what I am asking you to do here ladies is carve out “me” time (in addition to exercise). Maybe it seems selfish or you think you just don’t have the time. Maybe true but make the time in whatever way you can (10 mins!).
Often work from home suggests to family and friends that you have more free time. Yes, it’s important to connect and seek out human engagement to fight feeling isolated and alone as pressures mount. I am not saying give up those family zoom calls with grandma or catching up with friends on Hangout. However, sometimes saying no is saying yes to finding your path or the right strategy for your business.
Time block. Take out your calendar and set specific blocks of time for each work project and activity as well as family time and personal time. Then make every effort to stick to your calendar as many days as possible (but give yourself a break if doesn’t happen!).
Finally, be conscious not to blur the lines (and meaning!) between productivity and leisure time. This is my problem. What does it mean to be productive? Is time reflecting, exploring, researching, reading that book you always wanted to, finding a creative outlet, or even online courses that have zero to do with your particular business productive? YES!
My Space
Ok so for my fellow New Yorkers having separate workspaces, family spaces and your personal space may not be all that easy.
Yet, I believe it is helpful to create a physical space that you feel relaxed and grounded in. And, it’s ok to have multipurpose spaces – use what you have. Maybe it’s your bedroom with the door shut. Light a candle, put on noise canceling headphones and pull out the journal. Maybe you have a meditation corner or pillow you plop down somewhere quiet. Maybe you take a walk (warmer weather is on the horizon).
De-clutter!! I am not saying everyone has to be a neat freak or Marie Condo your house. However, organization has it benefits. Not only are you not always scrambling around looking for something, more importantly, it takes up mental energy to process everything around you.
So perhaps you start with that project you have been putting off – clean out the closet, file paperwork, order some bins and folders so you can sort and label – not to mention there are such cute options out there.
Use this moment of uncertainty, disruption and isolation to turn inward and embrace the change that we as individuals and those around the world are experiencing.
