We’ve all had to make significant changes to our lives over the last several month whether we wanted to or not. It seems our lives have been upended (for most of us small business owners, it has come to a screeching halt), and we’re beginning to settle in new norm- the post COVID life.
As most of you know, I own restaurants, who have been SMASHED by this disease. We’ve had to lay off people, we’ve had to close two business indefinitely, my gym (BJJ) is closed- that’s how I keep my sanity. My regular grocery runs, dry cleaning, dog grooming, pickups for lunch- all changed. I say all of this to illustrate that most every single normal-day-life comfort has changed.
But, with that, I’ve become more connected with friends and family. I have made a goal to call one new person every day. In our businesses, we’re creating new revenue streams. Hell, we’re creating new concepts altogether. We’re looking at products and opportunities we would have NEVER gone after before all of this!
To pursue these items and not lose focus, we have to stay consistent in our daily work. Output simply equals quality of work x time. Consistent output then means consistent input over a long period of time. But, how do we stay consistent? Discipline… Sure, there was about a week where I was stuck amid all of the chaos. But after I took a few days to stop and think, I began to think and figure out where the opportunities were and start to work towards those. I refocused, set a new schedule, goals and priorities to help me deal with all the added stress.
Consistency is a practice. Something that must be worked on every day. It’s maintained with discipline to do the things we know we should do. Here are a couple of tips I’ve used to stay consistent:
1 | Schedule, Schedule, Schedule
I know that may seem weird when you don’t have meetings, and you don’t leave your house, but schedule out your day. It’s more important now than ever.
2 | Practice Meditation
As little as 5 minutes can change your mindset every day. As I’ve written many times before, I use an app called Calm that makes it super super simple, but you can just use youtube. Take the time, you won’t regret it.
3 | Workouts
Workout every day, even if it’s simply a walk. All the excuses about “not having enough time” are pretty much gone now. The mental benefits of working out nearly outweigh the physical benefits for me. I feel amazing afterward!
4 | Consume Positive Media
Podcasts, books, audible books, youtube videos, etc. – Feed the good wolf inside of you. Fill your brain with positive stuff. CUT OFF THE NEWS. You are what you eat, mentally and physically.
5 | Practice Gratitude
Of everything here, this may be the most important for me. Always focus on what you have and build on it. BE GRATEFUL! It can nearly ALWAYS be worse. I use the 5. Minute Journal and it’s pretty amazing. Makes this process super simple. In less than two whole weeks of getting back to using this every day, I can tell a major change.
6 | Use Time Blocking
This is the only way I can get through my day. I have an outcome for each day and stick to it. I have several projects Im working on at once, and this is the only way to make them all happen in a timely manner. Check this out for incredible info on this.
7 | Get Engrossed
Fully dedicate yourself to something for an hour every single day if you can. You will get in what’s called a flow state which basically makes you a superhuman. Gardening, Yard work, Running, Playing Music, Video Games- anything that takes all of your attention. Put the phone away, shut down the computer and cut off the TV (unless your gaming) and simply focus on what you’re doing.
It’s super important to remember one thing through all of this- Be gentle with yourself. You’re going to go up and down but stick to your schedule. You may not do everything exactly as planned, but get it done nonetheless.
If you’d like to talk about tips and tricks you’ve used, or just connect in general, please reach out!
Go, Do & Grow!
-Jamey