The coronavirus has life around the world in upheaval. The crazy thing is that with me stating that “the world” is in absolute shambles, I’m not exaggerating – at all. Economic markets are volatile, people are staying away from each other in order to help contain the virus, and there is a general, heavy sentiment of uncertainty not just in the United States, but in many other countries.
That said, I understand and support the fact that we really, really need to isolate ourselves to reduce the spread of the virus. I’m all about that #staythefuckhome life.
In addition to the good staying home provides in helping to reduce the spread of the virus, staying home also presents some other great opportunities. While staying healthy (and trying to help keep others healthy), there are several things we can do to make the best of being cooped up in the house.
(1) Clarify and Decide
Are you in the same position now as you were during the 2008 economic downturn? Now is the time to think about and plan for how you will position yourself to be in a better position for the next downturn. It is important to see things for how they really are, then become very clear on what you want them to be.
What’s your current situation? What kind of job do you have? What is the likelihood that your employer will be able to continue to stay in business and pay you if the current circumstances continue for much longer?
What I’m getting at is that this is a chance to start playing chess, instead of playing checkers from a strategic life standpoint.
What you have at your fingertips is justified seclusion. That’s really an opportunity to think. It’s a chance to stop moving through life unintentionally and to devise a plan.
Write a clear vision for where and how you want to live the next time an event of this nature occurs. Economies are cyclical so be assured that another economic downturn will come – whether it’s due to a pandemic or some other reason. Something like this will happen again. Decide what you are willing to do to be in a better position when that happens.
(2) Stop Procrastinating
You know all that stuff you’ve been saying you “need to do” but haven’t? Now would be a good time to start addressing those things. You have nowhere else to be! Since it’s not safe for you to be in these streets like you have been, you can tackle some of the projects that have been on the way back burner in your life for too long.
Procrastination also applies to the other things that you’ve been saying you need to do, but haven’t. Yesterday, for example, I had someone reach out to me saying that he’s been putting off adding his wife to the deed on their property and he doesn’t want to put it off any longer. Since I’m a business and real estate attorney, he reached out to me so that he could get the ball rolling on that process.
Have you been putting off certain other “life stuff” that you need to start handling?
- Do you have life insurance?
- Do you have a will?
- Do you have any of the pictures in your phone printed and hanging in your home? (There are online services that will do this for you.)
Now’s your chance to start getting some of those things off of your to-do list.
(3) Get Your House In Order
This one piggybacks on the previous opportunity. You’re stuck in your home, so get it together. You know all of that stuff you’ve got around the house that you’ve been saying you’ll handle, but haven’t yet? Now would be a good time to start working on them. When was the last time you did a deep, deep cleaning? Are your cupboards organized or in disarray? What about that stack of mail that’s been sitting in a drawer or in a corner somewhere? Aren’t you tired of it?
I’m a firm believer that one’s external environment is reflective of their internal environment – how they are thinking and feeling mentally. When I’ve got stuff all over my countertops and papers strewn all over my desk, know for sure that I’m mentally out of order. Sometimes the first thing I do to pull myself together is to pull my space back together. It makes a huge difference.
I have 3 friends whose homes are in shambles. That’s not judgment – it’s fact. They are embarrassed to have visitors and they, themselves, don’t like their physical environments. Since I know them well, I can say that their minds are often as cluttered as their environments. And their embarrassment about letting others into their living spaces impacts their personal relationships. I think it also impacts how they feel about themselves. They live in a constant reminder that, though they feel they have some areas of their lives together, there’s at least one area where they’re really falling short.
From the moment you start tidying, you will be compelled to reset your life. As a result, your life will start to change. That’s why the task of putting your house in order should be done quickly. It allows you to confront the issues that are really important. Tidying is just a tool, not the final destination. The true goal should be to establish the lifestyle you want most once your house has been put in order.
~ marie kondo
They won’t take the time and energy necessary to organize and to clean their environment. And it really takes time and effort. A significant amount of time and effort. What should you have more of right about now? Time. But cleaning up and organizing is worth every minute. As famous declutter and organizer, Marie Kondo, says, “From the moment you start tidying, you will be compelled to reset your life. As a result, your life will start to change. That’s why the task of putting your house in order should be done quickly. It allows you to confront the issues that are really important. Tidying is just a tool, not the final destination. The true goal should be to establish the lifestyle you want most once your house has been put in order.” So, clean up. Declutter. Get your house in order.
(4) Buy Some Stuff
I’ve been reading and listening to financial and market commentary. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, financial experts were predicting an impending recession – a recession that was anticipated by late 2020 or early 2021. Now, financial experts are saying that a recession is almost certain (though one hasn’t yet been officially declared) and will be coming sooner than originally anticipated.
I will tell you how to become rich. Close the doors. Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.
~ WARREN BUFFET
If you’re in the position to take advantage of the “on sale” stock market, you have an opportunity. If this continues too much longer, there may be some real estate on sale as well. Remember, some people thrive in economic downturns. Perhaps that can be you.
Instead of considering myself to be “stuck in the house,” I view this as an opportunity to be “in the lab” (that’s a 90s hip-hop term). This is a time to do some evaluating and to get some things done. If you make this a Netflix and super chill situation, I’m pretty sure you’ll regret it later. Be well.