09/04/2020
Hi EVERYBODY!
A very good afternoon to you all on another one of 21 days of lockdown! I trust you are all stocked up with booze, ci******es, and all the other essentials needed to survive 21 days in isolation (possibly longer) with your nearest and dearest?? Whether you are staring at the prospect with trepidation, or viewing it as a ill-deserved holiday, this ‘thing’ IS, in fact, a double-edged sword in that it has both positives and negatives; but, being typically human, we are more inclined to see and/or focus only on the negatives…
So let us get those negatives out of the way first; but then, after that, let us find the positives that are hidden in this unprecedented time and experience, and CHOOSE to turn it into an opportunity!
The FEAR!
This is merely brought about by the fact that, up until recently, we lived under the illusion that we can safely predict the future….! The FEAR is merely brought about because, suddenly, we are in the UNKNOWN! And boy, are there many UNKNOWNS!!
Probably our largest fear is the fear of Death… whether we will lose a Loved one to the virus - a sibling, parent, spouse/partner, or worst, a child! Then, I would hazard, our next greatest fear is whether “I” will survive this thing… If I do get infected, where do I go? Will there be space and facilities to care for me!?
I do not believe that you or I have much control over the first instance, unless one occupies a fort(think Willem Rutter!) and you gather all your clan around you, and then bunker down and stay isolated for as long as is necessary. But, even then… sadly, there are no guarantees.
As to my personal survival… well, there you and I ARE in charge… if you believe you are, that is!
Then, I would think (having survived this ‘thing’) our next fear will be; “We can’t work! What is my financial position going to be through this period, and after, as a result of all the knock-on effects it will inevitably have? Am I going to enjoy an income through this period, will I keep my job, how do I pay for my house and utilities - my car - my credit card – my house-help/gardener - Jeez, am I going to be able to feed myself and my family?!!” This is then is inevitably followed by, “What can I do/where can I get help?”
Humans are naturally designed to think of themselves first, so once they have THAT out of the way, the concerns will ripple outward to include what the impact will be on ‘my company’, ‘our industry’, the economy, the country, the world… – the FUTURE?!!! And suddenly we are back thinking about ME again… how will it affect ME if my company folds, the country fails, the economy collapses, the world goes into unprecedented recession, or worse still, ENDS?!!
The only solace lies in the absolute knowledge that, whatever the outcome, you are not alone! As we saw with E-tolls, authorities cannot act against thousands and thousands of defaulters… so there will be definitely be some form of relief created for those that have defaulted on rentals, credit repayments, and the like – so, STOP WORRYING; there are a lot of us going to have to cross that bridge when we come to it… but only when we come to it!
Okay, so now that we have all THAT out of the way, let us look at how we can turn this time into a positive period…
1. FIRST, decide! My wife and I and I have decided that we will come out of this better off in as many ways possible, by concentrating on what we CAN control.
2. Accept the irrefutable fact that unless you do this, you will go into decline – physically, emotionally and mentally.
3. Sit down and write a list of every possible blessing/positive/improvement/benefit that the lockdown could possibly bring you.
4. Set up a daily schedule, and stick to it! Ours starts at 06h00 with meditation, then exercise, then we have drinks while listening to something motivational/uplifting/instructional, followed by shower and dress for a work shift, then brunch(we have decided to cut down to only 2 meals a day), followed by some family time, then a “Task”. Because we can, we then have a nap, after which we get outside for some activity and fresh air(not to mention the all-important vitamin D!) after which we prepare supper. Supper is followed by Leisure time(read movie) and then we do a session of Dr Joe Dispenza, and are in bed by between 9:30 and 10.
• Our exercise regimen is simple and can be done inside with or without weights(dumbbells are best):
10 push ups
10 squats coupled with shoulder presses
10 side-rows while in bridge position
10 lunges coupled with front-raises
10 sit-ups coupled with dumb-bell chest-press
10 seated dumb-bell curls
10 standing toe touches coupled with upright row
This completes one set, as exercises are done immediately after each other. Intensity is the determined by number of sets/and or increasing weights
• “Tasks can include things such as
sorting out the garage
clear out cupboards
household chores
tidy up home office
catch up on backlog filing
sort out tax
• The WORK SHIFT is still important and working towards something is a great way to keep busy and motivated. Develop a new type of work shift that consists of self-study, catching up with admin, sorting out your personal finances or personal development reading.
• Now is an ideal time to diet, lose weight, get fit, stop smoking, go alcohol-free, practice meditation, learn a new skill(the guitar, maybe?) and to reconsider your priorities/values/dreams/goals…WHATEVER YOU WANT! During the bubonic plague in the 1600’s, Isaac Newton self-isolated/social-distanced to a remote cottage for two years; from which he emerged having developed the theories of calculus, optics and gravitation! The important thing is not to wallow in the past-present with all its worries, concerns and uncertainties; but rather to hit the “RE-SET” button, and take this time granted to us to focus on, and create, a new, improved and better future YOU! There is already a large body of work talking about how certain industries/technologies/approaches will come out of this period re-vitalised/re-shaped/re-formulated/re-created/re-structured, etc. Many think the world was overdue for a change, a shake-up, a ‘reg-ruk’… Don’t emerge into a new world your old-self – there might not be place for you!
• And remember, don’t think of it as social-distancing; rather view it as “PHYSICAL-distancing”. The difference lies in acknowledging that this is the perfect time to CONNECT! Technology, via apps/programs such as Skype/WhatsApp video, etc offer us the facility to see and talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime! NOW is the perfect to really connect with friends and family – why stop kuiering?! I would definitely get around to repairing any damaged relationships/family feuds and the like, and to forgive and forget…
I want to end by wishing you good health, and everything of the best in these new and different times. Remember, only you can decide whether they are going to be challenging and difficult, or an opportunity to ………… (fill in the blanks) .
Author: Eddie Humphries – Franchise Principle, Edifying Life.
