5 Bold Strategies to Spark Your Restart

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the greatest moment in the history of the world to be alive. Hear me out. We all have an opportunity to reset, realign, and re-emerge with version 3.0 of our lives or whatever we deem the next chapter to be.

I must admit that during this global pause, I’ve had my very own moments of doubt, fear, and disbelief. The only way I could push through the uncertainty every day was to get up and act as if everything was going “be okay” in the face of circumstances telling me otherwise. After a few weeks of being a trauma zombie, I realized I could either have a front-row seat to my own decline or wake up and use this experience as fuel for what could be instead what is no longer. You have that same choice to make. Decide now that the new normal is your moment and invitation to show up in a fresh way.

Throughout my reflection, I keep returning to five strategies I believe we can use to grow through adversity and create opportunities during uncertainty.

I’d like to share them with you.

1.    Practice Physical Distancing Instead of Social Distancing. I was listening to a webinar led by Daniel Burrus (one of the smartest people I know). During a webinar he led recently, he reminded everyone that we are all social beings by nature and invited all 1,000+ listeners to shift our language from “social distancing” to “physical distancing”.

Think about it - we thrive when we are connected to and learning from each other. In fact, according to Psychology Today, “strong social connection strengthens our immune system, helps us recover from disease faster, and may even lengthen our life.” Incorporating intentional interaction into your routine can provide you and others the scientifically proven benefits of connection.

2.   Leverage Learning – Eric Hoffer said it best “in times of change, the learners will inherit the earth, while the learned will live a world that no longer exists.” Now is the perfect time to explore the interests you have, or skill sets you want to gain; and there are a number of platforms that you can easily access to learn just about any skill in 3-to-5-minute bite-sized lessons.

Additionally, courses through LinkedIn or other accredited platforms typically offer a certificate or digital badge with certification completion that you can add to your LinkedIn profile, resume/CV, and continuing education credentials. I must confess, my strong bias towards LinkedIn Learning (previously Lynda.com) course platform. The ease of use, self-pace, and quality amongst the number of course offerings are extraordinary. In the spirit of full disclosure, I have three courses hosted on this platform. Nevertheless, a great option to combine our first two tactics is one of my favorites, the course on establishing more-than-a-mentor relationships - Finding a Sponsor.

For more information visit www.lynda.com/simontbailey

3.    Develop Cross-Fit Thinking – I am a member of a cross-fit-Esque, instructor-led fitness program called Orangetheory and it kicks my butt every time I attend. Throughout the one-hour class, 30-40 people are group-coached to rotate through a rowing machine, treadmill, and strength-training floor exercises. The approach empowers you to work on all core areas of your body.

What if you applied this same type of thinking to your organization or business? How can you use a dormant skill or obtain a new one to body-build your personal toolkit? Don’t wait for a leader to tap you on the shoulder and ask you to take on more, I urge you to do it on your own. It may feel as if these intellectual gymnastics are stretching you beyond your comfort zone, but that’s precisely the point. Moreover, the “reps” overtime will pay off as you create muscle memory in a new discipline.

4.    Use Transparent Messaging – People hate corporate speak. According to the 2017 INC.com article How Corporate-Speak Makes You Stupid, According to Science, “biz-blab isn’t just an annoyance; it automatically reprograms your brain to think less clearly”.

I’m sure most of us can easily recall a time we have encountered less than desirable business practices or shady proposals. Post-COVID 19 that dog will not hunt anymore. In all honesty, post-tragedy, customers will become the new commodity. If you lead conversations, presentations, and brand representation with transparency and empathy, you’ll be respected, appreciated, and in business. 

5.    Customer Service is Dead. Client relationships are the current currency.

Your business policies, practices, and messaging are all opportunities to display customer love and appreciation. If you’re struggling to decide where to start, go to your clients. Ask them what they think, listen to what they say, and follow through on their suggestions. Seeing your patrons as interactions instead of transactions will create customers-for-life, and spark a restart in you and your business.

Need a little more motivation?

Check out this Success magazine article on How to Get Unstuck.