Bouncing back in the post-COVID-19 world requires mindset shifts. Many things have changed across the world. Life, as we knew it before, is gone.
In the previous post, I shared 4 scenarios I’ve seen emerge during the pandemic. These scenarios determine how each of us moves forward in a world that has undergone a 360-degree shift. As I said in the previous post, your mindset will determine how well you survive and thrive in this new world.
Having said that, what then can we do to go beyond survival and thrive?
Here are…
3 Critical Mindset Shifts That Will Help You Bounce Back
The way I see it, there are 3 critical mindset shifts we all have to make. These shifts apply across the board. It doesn’t matter whether you are:
- A business owner or an employee.
- A small business, large business, corporate or organization.
- Selling a service, producing goods, buying and selling, or whatever industry you’re in.
Everyone has been or will be affected in one way or another. So it’s better to be prepared, whether you’re struggling to stay afloat or doing well right now.
Mindset Shift #1: Accept that it’s OK not to be OK
It’s tempting to try and put on a brave face while everything is crumbling around you. You may also find yourself struggling to maintain a positive attitude especially when you receive news about people you know testing positive for COVID-19, getting hospitalized, or even passing away.
Things get dicey if you’re already in a financial crisis, have lost your job, or are facing challenges with your business.
Some psychologists call this attempt to be positive in the face of a crisis toxic positivity.
- People may reinforce this by telling you to hang in there because things will get better.
- Others will share platitudes that practically invalidate your feelings and emotions.
- There are also those who want you to get over this hurdle fast and they will push you to stop talking about your feelings and emotions.
It’s OK not to be OK. It’s OK to feel as you do. Trying to suppress your feelings and emotions can actually work against you in the short and long term.
Dr. Jamie Zukerman, a clinical psychologist, has written about toxic positivity and its impact on a person’s wellbeing. She also provides tips on how to deal with toxic positivity.
You don’t have to pretend that everything is OK.
- No more pretending.
- No more emotional masks.
- Stop trying to bury your head in the sand.
Accept the situation you’re in right now. Also, accept the feelings that come up with it. Sit with these feelings and then let them pass on their own.
Making this mindset shift will place you in a better space where you can evaluate your situation and identify your next step. Get the help of a qualified counsellor or therapist if you need help making this shift.
Mindset Shift #2: Pivot and turn around very fast
COVID-19 is a game-changer. The pandemic and its ensuing challenges have presented us all a great opportunity to evaluate our lives and businesses. Those who have recognized the opportunity are already pivoting or have pivoted.
We’ve been told that there’s an old normal and new normal. Don’t buy this lie. There is no normal. Yes, there was an old normal. But that’s gone. We can’t call what we’ve been through and what we’re living right now normal. What we’re calling a new normal is actually temporary.
Old normal, new normal, No Normal!
As we move forward, it’s important to recognize that life won’t be normal for years to come. The normal we have to live with is that there is no normal. Right now the only constant we have is change.
Things are changing on an almost daily basis. So learn to pivot and turn around fast. Take advantage of new opportunities and move in…before you find yourself on yet another melting iceberg that’s drifting away.
If you have a business, adopt the mantra, “Innovate or die.” Businesses that are innovative and that pivot to meet the shifting needs of their customers will thrive. Those that cling to old ways of doing things will soon find themselves struggling or out of business
A lot of people are pretending that life is OK and suffering behind closed doors. This season has also given us the opportunity to let go of what’s not working and to go for what we want.
- Evaluate your life & business.
- Let go of what is dragging you down or is unnecessary.
- Stop pretending.
- Scale down your spending if finances are tight, you’ve lost your main source of income, or your business has slowed down.
- Create an alternative source of income to complement your regular one.
- Start working on goals and dreams you let go of because you feared what people would say.
Look around for opportunities because there are many of them right now. Be more daring while also being cautious. Do your due diligence and dive in if things line up.
When people ask why you’ve changed, blame it on COVID. “COVID happened..” is an explanation that everyone understands and accepts right now. Let COVID be the excuse you’ve been looking for. Enough said!
Mindset Shift #3: Join or build an empowering community
This is not the time to be a lone ranger, even if you’re an extreme introvert like I am.
It’s also not the time to hang out with nay-sayers and toxic people. They will only wear you down. Remove these people from your life and blame it on COVID if they dare ask…
Find a community that facilitates sharing and building each other in a positive way. If you can’t find a community, build one and invite like-minded people.
However, it’s much easier being part of someone else’s community unless you need or want to build one for your business or visibility.
- Reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
- Strengthen old business connections and build new ones.
- Call your customers (old and current) to find out how they’re doing.
- Find people to connect and network with. Ensure that this community is both powerful and empowering. This storm is going to last a while and you need to be in a safe space that also allows you to grow.
Become a member of a community that fulfils you and empowers you to move beyond your limitations.
What is Your Horizon?
Looking back at the 4 scenarios I shared in the previous post, where would you place yourself going forwards?
- Are you afraid to find out whether you’re on an iceberg that’s drifting out to sea?
- Do you think you’re OK and there’s no need to move out of your comfort zone? This means you’re OK with remaining in the hauna habari clan as you wait for things to go back to normal.
- Are you safe on land and still unsure of what to do next? (Time is running out for you).
- Are you eagerly exploring new horizons and charting a new way forward?
There is a window of opportunity courtesy of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wherever you are, people are looking for help now more than ever. You can use this to your advantage in your job, career or business.
Additionally, if you’re in business and you don’t stand out, you’ll lose customers as they move to other solutions.
Even those with strategies that took into consideration the challenges caused by elections in Kenya have a new problem. We have to prepare for the economic upheavals that come with elections.
For those working internationally, the international market is no longer the reserve of a few. It’s very competitive now that the online space is no longer scary or unknown.
Move Beyond Thinking and Create Your Mindset Shifts
Having said all that…you need to take action. It’s time to get unstuck. Here are some questions to move you forward:
- What is one thing you can do over the next seven days to take action on at least one of these three mindset shifts?
- How will you ensure that this shift sticks?
- What opportunities have you seen for your business or industry that you can take advantage of?
- Do you require to pivot now or prepare to do so in the near future?
- What innovations are you seeing on the horizon that you can take advantage of?
- Who will be your main source of support and accountability?
Making a decision about your way forward and taking action on it, no matter how small the action is, is a mindset shift all on its own!
And when your mindset is right, you will work your way through, or find opportunities even in the most challenging times. In a sense, there will be no glass ceiling for you other than the one you create for yourself.
Recap
This has been a long 2-article post. In summary…
The world changed drastically in 2020. The world we knew before has been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its ensuing effects.
There are 3 mindset shifts we all need to make. These are:
- Accept that it’s OK not to be OK.
- Pivot and turn around fast.
- Join or build an empowering community.:
Identify new horizons and chart a new way forward in your life, career or business as you take advantage of the opportunities presented by the pandemic.
(Image Credit: Pixabay)
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