COVID has changed how we live and work in an unprecedented manner. Life after lockdown will never be the same again. Experts are calling it the “new normal”.
The question now becomes what will the new normal be? When states open up, how will employers and employees implement post-COVID life? While we can’t predict the future, we can see the trends and control how we respond to it.
Here are three things you can do to best equip yourself for the future despite what post-COVID life looks like.
Take Time for Self-Reflection
While it might seem like there is little that we can do personally to solve COVID and other significant problems in the world, we can improve our own personal lives.
Our self-improvement works like a ripple, rippling out in society and slowly impacting the rest of the world. This butterfly effect is best summed by the quote from Gandhi “be the change you want to see in the world.“
Take this time to reflect and prioritize what is important to you. Take this opportunity for self-improvement so you can best position yourself in the post-COVID future.
There are many ways we can hit reset and make a commitment, but most boil down to the very simple act of taking the small step to be responsible for something in your life. You can do this by making a list of all the hugely important things you want to achieve and in what time frame.
Do you want to get married and settle down? Write it down. Do you want to get a promotion? Write it down. Do you want to take six months off and explore the world? Write it down.
By writing it down, we begin to see the steps required to achieve the goal, some things (like meeting the perfect partner and getting married) rely on outside people fitting into place, but by having a goal, you begin to put yourself in the right position to let that happen.
Get Some Education
You don’t need to attend an Ivy League school to get a world-class education. There are many online education websites that offer academic courses for a fraction of the cost of traditional colleges and universities.
In this digital age, online education makes it ideal for lifelong learners. An online MBA is a fantastic way to put yourself at the forefront of job choices down the line.
Aston University found that 41% of graduates with an MBA saw a significant increase in their salary, including those who studied for their MBA online.
It doesn’t have to be full degree. It can be a certificate, just a few courses, or online training that you can take to boost your skills.
Embrace Networking
The very idea of networking fills most people with dread, but it is vital if you want to progress in your life and in your career. Opportunities are tied to people, so if you are looking for an opportunity, you are looking for a person.
How do you network in COVID conditions? Bust out your old rolodex, and reconnect with friends from the past. Linked-in and other sites like that help you find people that may be able to open doors for you.
Remember that you don’t want to network people to just get something from them. See what you can offer them as well. By helping others and adding value to those you know, it can help expand your network.
It’s been noted several times in psychological literature that your personality is formed by those with whom you spend your time, so it’s a good idea to spend your time with those who want the best for the best part of you.