I know, I know.
“Not another post about that darned virus.”
As you no doubt know — thanks to the Disease-That-Must-Not-Be-Named, everyday life as we know it is going to be put on hold for a while.
For how long, who can tell?
Maybe a quarter. Perhaps a year. More likely, six months.
Doctors, health professionals, and politicians are talking about “social distancing”. It’s a gentle euphemism for: “Don’t go outside unless you have no choice. And if you have to go out, don’t come into contact with others.”
I have something to say about this too.
But it’s not conventional.
In fact, it’s probably very different from some of the other advice you’re getting about this pandemic from other sources, especially the media and TV.
It’s this:
In these dark times, connection is more important than ever.
Don’t get me wrong. Pretty soon, it will no longer be sensible for most of us to leave our homes. The government may even enforce a full lockdown.
So, while we still have a few days, use this opportunity to stock up on food, medicines, and other household supplies you need for at least 30 days.
There’s no need to panic. But you should plan prudently.
However, in my opinion, one of the most important things you can do right now, is to prepare mentally. Tough times are ahead of us. And we are going to get through them together. In fact, I believe — truly — that we can even come out the side stronger, more motivated, more prepared, and ready to make our next chapter the best and most successful years of our lives.
But only if we go into this with our head straight.
What do I mean by that?
This period of forced isolation poses three key challenges.
Three tests.
(One of these tests involves connection. Remember Jim Rohn’s famous quote, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Well… what happens when you can no longer spend time with anybody? This is a serious question, and one we will come back to tomorrow.)
Most folks, I am sad to say, will fail all three of them and, as a result, will spend the coming months wallowing in despair and wasting away.
When the shadow passes, they will have nothing to show for this time.
You, however, are going to sail through them.
You’re going to sail through them, because over the next three days I’m going to explain each one in detail and show you how to get your head straight.
And when this storm has passed — and pass it shall — you will come out the other side stronger, sharper, and with all your ducks in a row, ready to step out in the world again and achieve all your most important goals.
I’m going to help you do that.
We’ll talk more about this tomorrow.
Today, do what you can to get your house in order. Prepare yourself and your family for disruption, social distancing, and a month or two of isolation.
Then come back.
Because in my next post, we’ll get started on the mental stuff.
