By Jayson Patino
A few thoughts on perspective during these tough times:
Yes, our day to day lives are being forced to temporarily change. Yes, it’s not ideal to be locked at home and not able to go about our daily social interactions and hobbies. Worrying won’t change anything.
TRY THIS. Don’t focus on all the things you cannot do. Focus on all the things you CAN DO.
During trying times it is very important to stay in a positive mental state. This is the power of perspective. Make a list of every possible thing you can do, without breaking the CDC guidelines of going out in public or being around other people outside of your family. Despite our current situation, there are plenty of things we can still do. Use this as a brainstorm session to get as many ideas as possible, don’t worry about the quality of the ideas. Later on you can refine the list down. You can also involve your family or whoever you live with to help come up with ideas together.
I bet you can make list of a bunch of things you’ve wanted to do in the past but didn’t have enough time. Life if usually so busy, fast paced, and full of work, personal, and family obligations. Well now is the perfect time to get creative and mindful, and cross some things off your to-do list. There are probably good books you’ve wanted to read, home projects you’ve wanted to start, or research you’ve needed to do. Here’s a list of things you can do from home that don’t require much more than your imagination and a device.
Write out personal SMART goals (short, mid, & long term) and start working towards them
List your strengths and weaknesses to prioritize your weaknesses and refine your strengths
Make a plan on how to bounce back when this pandemic is over
Research and order vitamins to strengthen your immune system
Practice solo martial arts drills
Start a workout regimen
Meditate
Do yoga
Watch online webinars
Read a book (or listen to an audio book) on how to improve an aspect of your life
Analyze ways to improve your work efficiency
Practice being more disciplined in developing good habits
Budget your finances better
Learn how to invest for retirement
Learn a new hobby
Research and start a diet plan
Complete a home project
Practice a musical instrument
Play with your kids
Read to your kids
Teach your kids something new (they love science experiments)
Spend more time with your family
Make home movies
Research future vacation destinations
Track your daily behaviors
Paint a room in your house
Organize the garage
Spring cleaning
Yard work
Make fitness challenges for yourself
Plant a garden
Organize important paperwork
Go for a bike ride
Once you have your list written out, highlight the ideas you would like to accomplish first. You can prioritize the things most important to you, then follow up with the other ideas you would like to accomplish after. Make a goal to complete at minimum a few of the things within the first days or weeks, depending on how time intensive they are. Make it a daily habit to work towards this list.
I did this exercise when I ruptured my Achilles tendon a few years back. It was my first time ever needing major surgery. I couldn’t walk without crutches and I knew I would be sidelined for a few months. I didn’t want to be depressed or down on myself the whole time. I like to use my phone’s “Notes” to easily make daily to-do lists so I used that to list every possible thing I could do without needing to walk. The things I normally do like training, running errands, and working out got pushed aside for the new things on my list. It was exciting to me because I was forced out of my comfort zone (which is always a good thing for personal growth) and I got a bunch of things done that I had previously wanted to, but didn’t make the time to do.
This strategy helps in many ways beyond just keeping busy and getting stuff done. Accomplishing even the smallest task feels good. We feel accomplished when we get something done which helps fuel the positive perspective we really need right now. You are in control of your mood and emotions. Your positive energy is contagious and inspires other people to do the same.
“Trade your expectations for appreciation and your whole world will change in that moment.”
–Tony Robbins.
Be grateful that we have food, water, shelter, can work from home and spend time with our family. But beyond that we can be proactive and use this time as a way to grow personally.
Stay healthy and good luck!
