Keeping yourself on track while facing a crisis
Hi there,
We’re heading into week 6 of Holland’s Smart Lockdown. The government has provided some guidelines and information and advice, and people are expected to use their judgment for everyday decisions.
How are things where you live? And how are you holding up? I hope you’re well and that you’ve managed to find some sort of a rhythm for your days and weeks.
A lot of people have asked me in the last few weeks: How are you coping with work stuff in these strange times? So here are 4 insights from my own method that might help:
Fall back on your calendar more
Having a good overview starts with your calendar. That’s even more helpful now. Go ahead and add everything to the calendar that you have to do just to keep things running. Things like cooking, grocery shopping, and exercising. Find a spot in your schedule for things that aren’t getting done. (You can always get rid of them again if this doesn’t work.)
My wife Joàn and I have started using our calendars for everyday chores and to clearly indicate when we’re working and when we’re taking care of our daughter. This clarity helps us be present when we’re on toddler duty, and focus on work when we’re “off-duty” at home. And it means you’re not constantly negotiating about time and responsibilities.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of a weekly recap. Taking a moment to look back over your week and to look ahead at the week to come can make a big difference. It helps you prioritize naturally and put things in perspective. And it’s an extra check to catch anything you’ve missed.
Pick a time each week that works for you. I tended to postpone doing this each week. But now that so much has changed, this appointment with myself creates some welcome peace of mind. I do my weekly recap on Fridays. It’s a great way to get a handle on work stuff before unplugging for the weekend.
Know what’s urgent *and* important
Make a plan. What truly has to happen? Be realistic and go easy on yourself. Chances are, you’re far less productive than you’d like to be these days. That usually won’t be a problem, as long as you’re clear on the bare minimum of what must get done.
I’m finding it helps me to make a list at the start of the week. Identify 3 to 5 critical tasks and put them on your calendar.
In normal times, I’d encourage people to work on things that are important, but not necessarily urgent. Because those are key things that can otherwise fall through the cracks. (This idea comes from the Eisenhower matrix, which you can read more about here.)
But in this bizarre situation, we need something different. My advice is simple: 1) Take good care of yourself and 2) Make peace with the fact that only those things that are both important and urgent will get done right now.
The rest will just have to wait.
And that’s fine.
Find a new and challenging pastime
Knowing what truly gives you energy and renews your spirit is more important than ever. My brother-in-law has discovered the joy of making his own pasta. Others have embraced getting their photo and video collections in order. I lose track of time when I’m coding.
What gives you a boost and a sense of satisfaction? Give yourself this gift.
Reserve time to change tack in the months ahead
It looks like we may be in this thing for a while yet. Perhaps you’ve found – after some experimenting and no doubt a few dead-ends – some semblance of a system that works for you. Great! But if we look beyond this week to the months ahead, it’s good to take stock: Will your new methods serve you in the long haul? How will they hold up? And can you make this situation more liveable for yourself and those around you?
It’s important to realize that we’re not there yet. Working under new and challenging conditions is – like everything else – a work in progress.
It’s a good idea to look back from time to time at what’s served you well so far, and what didn’t help. That’s always the case of course, but more so now.
I like to do this on a quarterly basis. That gives me enough time to make some progress toward my goals, but it’s not too far out. A monthly check-in helps enormously for actually following through with my plans.
Whatever rhythm you pick, be sure to add those sessions to your calendar today. Good luck!
Have a good week,
Rick