Yes, You Can Salvage What’s Left of 2020

Yes, You Can Salvage What’s Left of 2020

Will 2020 be your best year ever? Realistically, probably not, but it can be close if you work at it. If you’re feeling sorry for yourself, or are hooked on all the COVID19 apocalyptic news, I guarantee that 2020 will be “the year that sucked.” … really sucked!

However, with some determination, you can still salvage what’s left of this year. Give the following some consideration.

• With pen and paper, and at least 4 hours of uninterrupted free time, find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed and brain dump what you’d like to accomplish professionally and personally in the next 5 years. Create a roadmap with milestones. Post your roadmap where you’ll see it every day. If you’re ambitious, create a personal development plan (an 8 - 10 page document) for the next 5 years, encompassing all aspects of your life. If you’re comfortable doing so, share your personal development plan with someone close to you.
• Rework your LinkedIn profile, and resume, so it is result-oriented, not a list of tasks and opinions. Which sounds better, “On a weekly basis swept and mopped 120,000 sq. ft. of office space to ensure a clean and safe environment.” vs. “Mopped floors”? Showing results stats (percentage of growth, revenue achieved, money saved) makes you more of a safe bet.
• Ensure your LinkedIn profile is current (picture, certifications, contact information).
• Save as much money as possible. Question the necessity of every purchase you make. Of every outing. Is what you’re about to purchase, or do (spend money doing) the best use of your money and time?
• Research 2 online certification courses that align with where you want your career to head. Register and commit to complete both before year-end (this is where questioning how you spend your time comes in).
• Make a list of everyone you know currently and in your past. Besides the usual family, friends, co-workers, include anyone who regularly touches your life, or has touched your life, in some way (teachers, barber, mailman, mechanic, ex-girlfriends or boyfriends, friends who have moved on, neighbors, ex-teammates, barista, doctor, dentist, personal trainer, co-workers, financial advisor). Depending on your age, and much of a deep dive you do with this exercise, you will surprise yourself with how many people have, and currently are, touched your life. Once you’ve created your list divide into 4 categories:

1. Leave relationship as is
2. Get closer to
3. Reach out/reconnect
4. Remove from my life.

• In tandem with the above, keep in touch with family, friends, and colleagues you want to stay in touch with. By now, you should know who belongs in your life and whom you are better off without.
• If you’re currently employed, offer to help those who are now finding themselves unemployed. I’m a believer in karma. The more positive you put out in the world, the more positive you will receive from the world. Chances are you know someone who has lost their job due to #COVID19. Here’s your chance to put some positive karma into the world this long weekend by doing the following:

1. Write the person a LinkedIn recommendation and endorse their skills.

2. Facilitate e-intros to your network.

3. Offer to have virtual coffee over Skype or Microsoft Team to brainstorm possible next career steps. (be a sounding board)

4. Offer to proofread their résumé and cover letter.

5. Be their second pair of eyes for opportunities that may be suitable.

6. Forward their resume to your network. As much as possible, refer the person.

7. Stay in touch.

• Create a daily exercise routine (could be as simple as walking no less than 10,000 steps daily) and commit to it.
• Experiment with different morning and evening routines until you find one that works for you.
• Learn to cook (saves money, is therapeutic).
• Start a DIY project. The prescription for calming down your mind from all the doom and gloom being fed to us by mainstream media is to focus on a productive activity. Pick up a discarded coffee table and refinish it. Paint a room that could use a new color. Detail your car. Plant a garden. Build something. Fix something. Do anything that takes your mind off your day-to-day worries.
• Read no less than 5 books (one per month) you’ve been putting off.
• Keep a blog/journal regarding your thoughts, feelings, and progress on all the above mentioned.