How To Use The Pandemic As A Catalyst To Change Your HSP Work Life For The Better
It’s hard to imagine that there may be an upside to the pandemic.
People are suffering from the loss of life, job changes and financial upheaval. If this is you, I’m so sorry.
I don’t take it for granted that I am able to continue working. And I know that could change at any time.
20 years ago, I lived through layoffs, which taught me never to let my guard down completely.
Plus, as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), I rest easier if I prepare for all scenarios.
So I’m living straddled between two realities.
On one hand, I’m staying present in the moment and staying grateful for the job I have.
On the other hand, I’m evaluating our budget, and considering what the plan looks like if things take a turn for the worse.
In case you’re in the same situation, I want to share how I’m maintaining an attitude of optimism when the world is singing a very different tune.
I’m trying to remember that a change in employment, while creating stress, also presents an opportunity. I know this isn’t the case for everyone. For many, any change in employment means not being able to pay the bills, rent or mortgage.
Obviously, if you’ve lost a job, replacing lost income as quickly as possible is imperative. But if you are in the position to take a chance or make a change, this situation could give you the time to imagine a new beginning.
If you want to look at your career through new eyes, here’s an exercise to begin to envision how you could change your work life for the better. And to step into a mindset that makes you feel a little bit more upbeat about life.
If you’re creating backup plans for your life, at least one of them should lead to your dream work scenario. Right?
The question is, do you know what your dream work is?
Here’s a process for figuring it out.
Doing this exercise will brighten your mood and expand your creative thinking.
How to hear the call of your ideal job
Tune into what you’re feeling. Your feelings are messengers. Sometimes as an HSP, I have a hard time putting a name to a feeling. But I can feel whether it’s a “yes” or “no” feeling. Yes feels exciting, expansive and propels you forward. No feels blah and dull and says stop, change course, retreat and reverse. Investigate the yes and no feelings you’re having right now.
Step into your imagination and envision your dream weekday. It’s time to propel yourself into your dream life. Grab paper and your favorite colored pens and start writing about your dream weekday two years from now. What time do you wake up and what does your morning routine look like? Who is the first person you speak to? Do you have a partner? Children? How do you spend your day? Do you work? Do you commute or work from home? Do you have to travel for work? Are you self-employed, a contract employee or a salaried employee? Is your day flexible or very structured? What are the primary tasks you’re spending your time on? Who do you interact with and how? Do you work alone, with co-workers or serving clients? Expand out, thinking about how your dream weekday accommodates all other aspects of your life, relationships, family, creativity, health and well-being, spirituality and purpose. If you’re on the right track, you should feel excited by what’s coming out on the page. What are the scenes that bring you the greatest joy from your day?
Start researching opportunities to make a change. Now that you know what your dream looks like, brainstorm creative ways to make it work when the economy picks up. For example, if the idea of writing for a living gives you chills of excitement, can you find opportunities to do more writing in the job you go back to, as a hobby or as a side hustle? Or if you want to keep working from home after the pandemic, start researching job postings for virtual vocations or consider how your current job may allow you to continue working from home at least part of the time.
Identify the first step and then start taking action. From there you’ll discover the next step.
When you land on a solution that’s a fit, you’ll feel the pull of “yes” in your gut.
Seeing the opportunity in the challenge
Now’s the time to be the visionary in your own life.
Look for the opportunity for transformation that exists side by side with difficulty.
How can you let the pandemic push you forward to make the most of this one magnificent life?
If the answer makes you tingle with excitement, you know you’re on the right track.
YOUR TURN
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What did you learn by doing this exercise? Leave a comment and be specific. You may inspire someone else.