If you have had trouble staying focused and motivated in the pandemic era, you are not alone. COVID-19 has changed everyone’s routines, from going through government mandated lockdowns to changing the way that we visit the grocery store. But even in these uncertain times, we still have to work on our skills. The crisis isn’t going to be here forever, and we want to make sure that we’re working on developing our abilities so that we still maintain our competitive edge. Whether you are a public speaker, a social media marketer, a writer, or a team leader, continuing to work on your skills is a must. Here is how you can stay motivated during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Recognize That Everyone Is Going Through The Same Thing
Remember that you aren’t the only person going through this. Everyone in the United States and around the world has had their lives radically changed by COVID-19. Sometimes when we struggle with changes in our lives, we can feel as if we are the only people going through it. We can take solace in the fact that there are other people toughing it out in the same ways that we are. A great way to feel better is to vent with friends and family and share experiences. In lieu of that, you can join an online forum or group.
Focus On What You Can Control
Focusing on what you can control is key to staying motivated and improving your skills during the pandemic era. You can’t control the reopening process, you can’t control how the virus moves throughout the country. But you can control your reaction, you can control how you feel each day, and you can control the effort you put into getting better.
Work On Your Skills Every Day With A Purpose
When you are motivated to work each day with a purpose, you are bound to improve your skills. Just because you may not have any official public events coming up doesn’t mean you can’t work on your public speaking. Or your leadership skills. Develop a plan to work on your skills during the summer months so that you are ready to go for the fall. Set up some goals to reach so that you have something to strive for each day. The work that you put in during the summer will pay off when everything returns to normal.
Staying motivated during these times isn’t easy. Often, we know the exact events that we are practicing and getting ready for. In the same way an athlete prepares for a set date for training camp, a public speaker may know they’re preparing for an event on a specific date. Everything is in flux now. That’s why it is important to focus on what you can control. The guidelines might be constantly changing, and you may not know what to expect from one week to the next. But you can focus on developing your skills every day and becoming better at your craft.