Remember that time when we were always so busy? We’d get up in the morning, made sure everyone has breakfast and reminded the kids of their schedules and their school bags. Had breakfast ourselves with that first cup of coffee, crucial to awaken the brain. We’d hop in the car to go to work, where we’d have a second cup of coffee, hoped to get our work done, and at the same time tried to motivate others to get their work done, all in time in order to return home. Not too early, because we have to lead by example, not too late to avoid being stuck in a traffic. On the way back, we’d get groceries, tried to make dinner that could be considered reasonably healthy (as long as it didn't take more than 15 minutes to prepare), put the kids down and crashed out on the couch to watch the news and a crappy dating program before we went to bed.
That was not so long ago right? And all the while we had those dreams in the back of our mind for ONE day…… one day I’ll break this cycle, one day I’ll turn my life around, make plans to quit this job, start my own business, study again, working on that big idea that has been on my mind for so long that will create the life I enjoy, that will get me excited to get up in the morning because I know it will make me feel happy and fulfilled, because I know I make a difference in the world.
For a long time, instead of pursuing those dreams, we used our daily busy lives as an excuse for not chasing them. But they were still there and kept you awake at night, making you doubt that you were doing the right thing. You tried to push forward the decisions, that kept coming up again and again, because it was not a good time now, not knowing when it ever would be a good time.
Well, let me tell you that time is NOW. If this pandemic has given us one thing, it has given most of us TIME. All of our busy-ness has been stripped away (that is if you do not have small children that have to be home-schooled). Suddenly, we have fewer things that we need to do, should do or have to do. The crisis took all that away and gave us time – exactly what you’ve always asked for.
If there was ever a time to sit back, let ideas flow, read, study and think, it is now. While it may not be the best time to start a business today, we may want to work on that new business idea or that innovative product idea, create that business plan, discuss it with the people who support and influence you, and refine it into an even better business plan. Prototype that product and test it. Many companies have more time, production lines are on low output mode, find experts in the field, they also have more time, run your plans by them and use the feedback to optimize your product.
If you’ve always wanted to develop yourself to get better at a particular skill, develop yourself, do some more inner-work, work on your presentation skills, create a better life for yourself, this is the best time.
This crisis has giving us the gift of time. The pause button has been pushed for us. And now it is up to us to use this opportunity to start creating the life we always wanted, optimize our plans, train our brains, learn new skills or apply our capabilities differently, because we may never give ourselves this gift.
