A Pandemic Awakening
Are you experiencing a pandemic awakening that is giving you a new perspective on your career and possibly life in general?
I know that the last year has given me a new perspective on what I want my life to look like in the future.
In reflecting on the last year, I discovered that there are three areas where I have embraced a new perspective:
- Relationships
- Health
- Career
Yes, I have had a pandemic awakening.
Relationships
The pandemic has forced many of us to reevaluate the relationships in our lives. It may be your marriage that may have grown stronger or you now plan to divorce. By the way, the number of people married and divorced during the pandemic dropped significantly. Being together so much has an upside and a downside.
Some of you grew closer to your family. I heard from many of you in the Career Pivot survey results that the pandemic was a good thing.
Some developed newfound appreciation for those who supported them in this pandemic. Check out what one Virginia neighborhood did for their local UPS delivery driver.
My wife and I developed a strong bond with a small group of hikers who we joined every week. Being outside in the mountains the surround our home in Ajijic Mexico was healthy for our bodies and our souls. Doing it with a like-minded group of people was even better.
I wrote about the need for community in my post, Community – What Is The Value Of Belonging To One?
For me, I had a new perspective on the need for relationships which was a pandemic awakening.
Listen to the most recent episode
Health
I had my first physical in years right before the beginning of the pandemic. At the time, I was 63 years of age and was in pretty good condition for someone of that age. However, my doctor worked with me on changing my diet, like eating more salmon and taking some supplements which primarily were iodine or yodo in Spanish. By the time the lockdown was over, I went back to have my blood work redone, and pretty much everything was normal.
Now I am working on my blood pressure and a few other readings. I am healthier now than I have been in years.
Many of you have taken up bicycling and other forms of outdoor exercise. I know this because just about every bicycle store in North America has virtually no bicycles in stock.
On the other hand, 61% of Americans have reported gaining weight during the pandemic. Being at home has increased snacking during the day and most of the time those things we eat are not the most healthy.
As we come out of the pandemic now is the time to re-establish healthy patterns. This includes:
- Exercise
- Eating
- Hydration
- Sleeping
- Bathroom patterns
As we emerge from our isolation a good pandemic awakening would be to establish healthy lifestyles.
Career
I have heard more than once in the last year, that people keep saying, “Life is too short to keep doing the same thing.”
I remember years ago when I worked for IBM, a young man I worked with was traveling way too much. It was putting a tremendous strain on his new marriage and his health. This showed up in some disastrous drinking behaviors which caused him to miss international flights. I told him to tell his boss that he could no longer keep up the travel. His response was that he had no choice.
You always have choices! If you do not think so, I want you to read the book, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less.
You can say ‘no’ and actually gain respect.
Now is the time to reevaluate what you are doing in your career. It is time to reevaluate your motivations to work.
Think about it, why are you working? It is probably to earn an income to put food on the table, put a roof over your head, and provide for others.
I certainly hope that you are having a pandemic awakening and ask yourself why you are doing what you’re doing?
Embrace a New Perspective on Your Career and Life
What are your career and life goals? Have you even bothered setting long-term goals?
If you did not lose your job during the pandemic, you are probably wealthier now than before the pandemic.
If you did lose your job, did you learn to live a simpler life?
Either way now is the time to embrace a new perspective on your career and life.
Over the next year, we will be selling our condo in Austin, and not own a home. I am reevaluating how and why I run Career Pivot. Notice it is not just the “how” but the bigger question is my “why.”
Are You Having a Pandemic Awakening?
My pandemic awakening is as I approach my 65th birthday I am reevaluating everything. I do not have to keep doing what I have been doing. I have choices.
What choices are you going to make as we emerge from the pandemic?
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Sounds positive Marc. just a little younger. In past years I got well known people to become my mentors. Retirement is not something I choose to do. I do enjoy having more that one corporation. Regarding high blood pressure, that is from inflammation. Some don’t agree with this, but if they were on a Paleo Diet, it would take less than 3 weeks to get rid of this. If on medication, make sure to work this with your doctor, as the changes can be fast.
So, like me sold my house a few years ago, and moved closer to town, but I avoid that 4 mph drive on 183 I put up with for ten years. Austin is one of two towns where more people rent than own homes.
I think you know I am driven by whatever I do. It is not the life for everyone, but my comfort zone is stretched far and wide. If I wake up and I am comfortable with matters, something isn’t right. I recall the time we met years ago at a coffee shop and I am grateful for having your advice at the time. A gift you have is the ability to listen.
As to why you help others, that is a personal question I can’t answer for you. I help people and I don’t even go by the more you help others it will come back to you, but I enjoy seeing them grow faster than they thought possible. If someone is locked into one specific area for work, that can be limiting. I don’t even consider what I do as work, but it is enjoyable seeing people hit the ah ha moment. Just wish I knew that twenty years ago.
People are born with an employee mindset, so you can’t just skip to owning multiple businesses. Not really money, but it takes a mindset change and an intention of change. It takes five generations for someone to be born with a mindset that is not an employee mindset. Few of us have that.
I don’t put down those that want to remain as an employee, but opportunity is everywhere if someone looks. If they want the same work as they have been doing, they may have to work in other cities. Rather take an inventory of skills, and even if someone doesn’t leave Austin, they can put those to use. Mainly people need to understand it is not just them that are trying to figure out things at this time. Pretty much everyone is thinking over things.
Here is to your health.
Gregg