The World Has Changed

It’s a different world suddenly.

Over the last 48 hours, there has been a tectonic shift in the way Governments across various countries have started responding to the pandemic.

Subtle measures of containment have given way to more draconian Mitigation measures- rightfully so.  Social Distancing, Lock-down are terms that have become commonplace.

Additionally, for many, more than the social isolation, the collapse of the Markets across all asset classes is bringing to fore a black swan event that all of us probably will see only once or twice in our lifetime.

We are in for a prolonged period of uncertainty and anxiety.

What is the best way to deal with this new reality?

Its good to say be positive, stay calm, count your blessings, etc but all that is futile if the mind is in a state of turmoil.

I am as impacted as anyone else around me.

Here’s what I have done to get my mind into a neutral state.

1. I have written down what is bothering me and the worst that can happen. I then asked myself what are the 2 or 3 different things  I can do to deal with the problem. I followed the process I mentioned in my blog post on Anxiety http://ownmygrowth.com/2020/03/03/dealing-with-anxiety/ I analyzed the source of my worry and described it in precise detail. By doing this , I realized that the situation is not as bad as I thought it was. I was able to devise a clear plan of action for myself. I feel reassured.
2. Connect with a trusted friend or a mentor who makes you feel safe and chat about what is it that is bothering you. I had a conversation with both my mentor and a few friends today and I am already feeling better. Negative chatter typically gets reinforced when you are held hostage by the voice in your own head. Speaking with someone you trust and who gives you a safe space to have a conversation is very important.
3. Start giving. However bad you may be feeling at any point, when you give something out- be it effort, time or money it is soul-soothing. The mere act of giving takes away focus from yourself. I did this in the evening.

Working from Home can be positive in a lot of ways.

At a typical workplace, our focus and eventual productivity is challenged because of multiple interrupts and distractions we have to contend with.

Today, when working from home I defined a clear work-space for myself and also the specific hours I would be working. Without the normal distractions associated with the workplace, I seem to gotten more done in much less time.

I hoped to get back to the comfort of my home space and my family after the work was completed. This did not happen as I had to deal with some other interruptions.

However, I now know the routine. I hope to get cracking at this new operating model and get better at it over the next couple of days.

If the world is changing on us, we need to change and adapt. That is the least we can do.