Positive Post #25: Easier?

I hesitate to say this, because so many things are harder ... but a few things are easier right now and I want to make sure people jump on them if they want to.

I don't have extra capacity right now (at all), so I'm hesitant to take on new things, but on the other hand, I've noticed that because everything is discombobulated, the barrier to entry for some things is lower.

There have certainly been things in my life I wanted to do, but the process required just to access them was too much hassle, so I didn't.

About 10 years ago I wanted to compete in an Ironman triathlon. At that time, they were so popular that they filled up a few days (or even minutes) after registration opened. Some people would volunteer as workers at a race more than a year ahead so they could access the registration for the next year a few days early. I didn't want to deal with that time commitment, or with setting an alarm to register exactly at a certain date and time so that my entry would make it in. I chose an off-brand triathlon instead. I still did the 140.6 miles, but it was with a different race company. Same accomplishment. Different name. So I was annoyed when a friend insisted this week that I can't really call myself an Ironman because it's a brand name. (Don't be mad him. He's a nice guy. It's just that he has so few things he can rub in my face because I'm always beating him.)

That's all to say that we are human and sometimes the process to register for something is the only thing that keeps us from doing it. I'm looking around for those things now, because a lot of the annoying parts have been eliminated.

As I wrote earlier, I always told myself I'd have extra money when the next recession hit, so I could buy land or stocks cheap. And I don't. But there are other opportunities to access things more easily or less expensively:

1) If you have a kid in 8th grade or high school, they were able to apply for a program where they earn college credit in high school. In Ohio, that's called College Credit Plus. Previously the student had to take the ACT or SAT in order to apply, because they have to be technically accepted into the college where they will be getting the credits (although not the same stringent acceptance process as a senior in high school). The ACT and SAT have been cancelled, so that requirement is being waived. And in Ohio the deadline to apply for College Credit Plus is extended to May 1. My daughter already did the process and I wasn't going to have my son complete it until next year, but we did it this week because it will save me the hassle of dealing with ACT/SAT next year.

2) Applying for graduate school is easier and there are more programs that are exclusively online. I'm pondering getting my MBA if they give me financial aid. There's no entrance exam required right now, and the application process is streamlined.

3) My year-long leadership program through Landmark Worldwide has quarterly weekend conferences, which previously involved flights and hotels. I'm starting back into my second year of the program at the end of May, and now instead of flying to Los Angeles, I can participate in the whole weekend from my home. Which means I can get a cup of tea without shuffling past the legs of 12 people in the row where I'm sitting. Hooray! (Who else is in for the Team Management and Leadership Program?)

4) It's easier and cheaper to refinance your mortgage right now. I just did it a few months ago, so I'm probably not going to do it again, but it's worth a look.

5) There's more space at outdoor summer camps that have been difficult to get into in the past (again with setting an alarm to hit the submit button with a manic look in my eyes) ... although some camps have canceled their summer sessions, many outdoor ones are making contingency plans for smaller cabin groups that eat, sleep and hike together and don't mix with the other cabins, in case that's required. My favorite, Camp Wyandot, Inc, is offering full refunds, including the deposit, if camp has to be cancelled. Our director pointed out that overnight camps introduce less risk of infection than day camps (because the kids aren't going home each evening to a different set of germs) and outdoor camps are less risky than indoor ones.

I'm sure there are more things like this. I'm looking around at anything that was on my bucket list, but the barrier to entry was high. Lots of bucket list items are travel, so that's out. But there are a few that make sense to investigate. You could even apply, be accepted, and defer your acceptance if you don't feel like starting the thing right now.

Things are in flux.

It's easy to ask for exceptions when the rules are all bending.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Thanks for being out there reading, even if you don't comment or click the "like" button. Somehow LinkedIn knows you are there and I can feel you there, too.