Coping with Covid

A first in our lifetime

Over a year ago a virus spread throughout the world and changed our lives in many ways. Depending on where you live activities were curtailed. We disappeared behind masks covering nose and mouth. Our lives changed at the whim of “experts” and authorities.

Many of us aren’t coping very well. Online sales dropped other than Amazon.com where one can order for delivery what we once bought in retail stores. Where I live nearly everything is closed including beaches and parks.

My county actually banned walking.

Many neighbors ignore the bans. However, I do not know if that is wise. A major problem is misleading or ever changing information. Those we rely upon for information don’t always talk straight or change from one day to the next.

I rely on my personal physician. With health care visits routinely on video or audio calls these days I text simple questions to my primary doctor and get simple answers in return. And when I have to go out for business (I primarily work from home) I have a letter stating that I am allowed to do so. Yes, I wear a mask. No I haven’t gotten a vaccination, nor do I intend to do so. I’m not recommending not getting the vaccine. It is up to you.

Here are a few ideas to keep your life moving forward

Those of us working from home have it easier than most during the pandemic. We do not have to venture from our safe environs. We continue to earn. And our lives haven’t changed much other than dining out and some outdoor activities that are curtailed. Affiliate marketers have a new niche to work providing products to help deal with the pandemic.

So, my recommendation for coping with the pandemic is find activities to replace those you cannot enjoy due to a shutdown. Research valid Covid-19 information so you know what you’re writing about. Then put together an eBook to use as a lead magnet. Or sign up with Fiverr.com or Upwork.com and pull in some extra cash writing for hire.

It can be stressful living through a shutdown with the family. Give one another space as you want and need to conduct your business at home. Be sure to exercise each day to keep body and mind alert. Be careful of what you eat and how often. I’m reading about many people gaining unwanted weight by eating to relieve boredom.

Find time each day to Skype or phone friends who are also in lock down. You may brighten their day and certainly will brighten your own. When talking, texting or writing emails be positive. Focus on other than Covid-19 issues or politics. Political discussions these days are not of benefit. Your job is to be uplifting and positive. Negativity in thought will seep into your business communication and you do not want to have that happen.

Change your work patterns

I acted on an idea that’s working very well for me. When I record an audio my studio is now my car. Yes, I take a laptop, sit in my car and record audio tracks. I am not disturbed. There’s no ambient noise to clutter the audio. And I like the solitude. Before I started doing this there was always a chance of noise from another room or an interruption of one kind or another.

I’m an early riser and get most of my work done before noon. Now I break up my day. I’m careful not to sit at my desk endlessly. That’s a danger as I get absorbed in tasks. The shutdown prevents me from doing what was usually part of my schedule. I’d often meet friends for breakfast or coffee. That’s not possible these days. I like to fish the nearby surf. Our beaches are closed and that’s no longer possible. The nearby park is closed so that’s off limits.

I now use exercise bands and a recumbent exercycle for my exercise. My new schedule is work a while, exercise a bit, then go back to work. I find working late afternoon is very productive. It wasn’t always that way.

Take care of those tasks you’ve put off.

I have lots of stuff. Much of it I haven’t touched in years. So I spice my Covid-19 days sorting and getting rid of ‘stuff’. I sell some online. I give a lot away to people I meet visiting Facebook interest groups. Other things I drop off at Goodwill.

It is difficult tossing electronic waste. My recycle center is not open as usual with the shutdown. There are people online who gladly take cables, connectors, old laptops, and such. I ask them to pay shipping if needed. They’re happy and I’m happy my stuff is not winding up in a landfill.

If disposing of books may I suggest donating them to a local hospital? Many have libraries and circulate books among long term patients. Don’t forget VA hospitals when doing so.

A problem with donations these days is so many outlets are closed or not taking donations because of Covid-19. My local library isolates donated books for weeks to avoid contamination from the virus.

What does the future hold for us?

I read this morning we may be a masked society through 2022. It’s important to remember “Business always solves its problems”. If the virus is affecting your business find solutions that allow you to grow revenue this year. If you bring in only what you earned last year inflation will put you behind in your plan.

As the owner/operator of your online enterprise it is your duty to solve Covid-19 related interrupts to the business. Perhaps this is the time to expand. Create a podcast or develop a new product. Conduct more research into niches you’ve not previously considered. The longer people are restricted the more they buy online.

I believe the future is of your making. Think of when you started an online business. You knew nothing. But you learned. Perhaps stumbling more than you liked. But you kept working at the business. I know that to be true. If you gave up you would not be reading this.

Be inspired and inspire others. That’s the success key. And always ask for the order.

Book recommendation:

From Cubicle to Cloud: How to Start and Scale a Virtual Professional Service Business

Google Compliance Secrets: The Ultimate Marketing Playbook To Stay Google Compliant