Career Planning During A Pandemic
Friday, March 13th—ironic, that it fell on a Friday the 13th—was the last day that I went out socially, normally, in the way we used to know. I spent the evening enjoying one of my favourite activities, catching a musical, Summer, at the Princess of Wales. The next day, all group events were cancelled, and all venues across the city closed, quickly followed by an emergency shut down of Toronto.
It’s Week 11 of self isolation and it’s only now that I’ve begun to digest the magnitude of what our world has become. In April, I was simply reacting to everything and keeping my business afloat. I was also working quickly to adjust my Seneca classes for online delivery. April 22nd, I submitted my Winter 2020 class marks, and then began to shift my focus, looking at how I would adjust my lectures for online delivery for the Summer 2020 term. I have been fortunate to have numerous revenue streams to keep my company and myself afloat, and am not here to talk about difficulties that so many of us are facing.
“What’s changed is that, over the past month, the negative setbacks have begun to take effect, leaving me to reevaluate my entire career path. I took a step back to, in a sense, “mourn” life as I knew it. ”
Until this moment, I had a clear plan on what I wanted my life to look like in two years. Today, I have no plan for what I will have for breakfast tomorrow. What I am trying to do during these fast changing times is focus on elements that I am capable of controlling by doing the following:
Finding Inspiration and Channels of Knowledge
I have always found comfort, inspiration and motivation in books and learning. Therefore, I have been joining a number of online classes.
Focus On Not Panicking
While it is hard at times not to panic, especially as you watch 10 years of your work go up in flames, I have also been raised to control my panic. Meaning, since a young age my parents taught me that no good decision comes out of a panicked state. Therefore, I have been doing everything I can to remain calm and optimistic, using all means possible. In my case, this has been finding joy in my home life.
Cut Spendings
Since the future is uncertain, and to minimize using my savings, I have been conscious to avoid online shopping. While things are a bit boring, it is easy to turn to online shopping to infuse a little newness into life. This especially applies to clothes and shoes. The priority for me right now is to maintain a healthy lifestyle while removing excess of material purchases.
I AM WEARING: Zara Polka Dot Bow Blouse // Citizen of Humanity Demy Cropped Flare Denim
Focus On Mental Wellbeing
This is directly related to not panicking, but, in order for me to make successful long term decisions and feel motivated to be productive, my mind needs to be clear. As I’ve mentioned, books provide me beautiful escapes while enjoying home life has been my saving grace. I have never felt more fortunate to have the support system that I do.
Create Custom CRM
Over the past 10 years of working in my industry, I have made numerous connections; however, I’ve never established a productive way to manage my connections. I have also never taken the time to foster them properly. Currently I am working on reestablishing them while developing a custom CRM system that both myself and my team can easily implement.
Focus on Efficiency and Discipline
Every day to me feels like a Sunday, leaving me feeling unmotivated and procrastinating. I have really loosened the reins on my work at home discipline, which I always took a lot of pride in. While I am struggling to return to it, it’s a work in progress that I am dedicating lots of energy to. I would also like to develop “Themed Days,” which will focus on specific tasks on specific days. For example, Mondays will be dedicated to Seneca work, Tuesday focusing on TryMus client work, Wednesday on developing WLG content, Thursdays for business development, and Friday for tidying up loose ends and preparing for next week. This system has worked effectively for me in the past.
Finish Accounting
Finally, the most dreaded task is working on accounting and bookkeeping with my accountant. I have always left it until the end of year but I would like to focus on establishing a monthly routine where I can simply review everything rather than leave it all to my accountant. In order to properly manage money, I need to have a better understanding of the month's finances.
“So, while 2020 will go down in my books as the year of my greatest setbacks, I am also looking for every opportunity to learn from it.”
This is easier said than done, but focusing on a few tasks at hand is a lot less overwhelming than trying to salvage your future in two weeks. Therefore, I am hoping that, in doing so, every next day will be a step closer to a better tomorrow.
With Love…
Marta