How to Be YOU When You're Not 100%

Today, I want to talk about WORK.  Yeah, that thing we are supposed to be getting done during a pandemic, while caring for kids, worrying about our parents, cooking 3 meals per day and keeping our homes extra clean. 

Sounds ridiculous when I say it like that.  And, yet, if you are still able to work, that is a blessing, as so many people have lost jobs and thus income.  

About 3 weeks into this, I was on a call and noticed that I wasn’t “myself”.    I first attributed it to fatigue, some anxiety and the total change we had experienced. And, while that is all true, I think something deeper was happening.    Not only was I not at 100% (who is?), I was actually changing my behavior and pulling back on the way I show up at work.  And, this is not judging or being harsh on myself during a pandemic.  I actually was struggling because I knew that I wasn’t being myself. 

On this episode, I want to share a few things that I learned and how I moved forward, including showing up as that person at work this week and having some awesome team members reach out to based on a direct response I gave (typical of me:))

• What you need to understand:  No one is at 100% right now.  
• Be honest with yourself about how you’re doing.  Look for evidence, data or even feedback that you’ve been given.  
• Be honest with  your manager about how you’re doing.  If you need help, ask for it. 
1. Have a discussion about the prioritization of what you are working on.  What is still a high priority. What timelines are realistic. 
2. Identify the specific strength that you bring to your team.   Focus on those, even if you’re not at 100%

• Focus on quality and not quantity.
• If you don’t have a system to track what you are working on (Trello, Basecamp, Asana, etc.), figure out a system to help keep you sane) you need to get one.  It can be just for you.  
• Each day, identify at least one important thing that you need to work on.  Spend the first 30 min of your work time on that thing
• It would be ridiculous of me to not address the realities of home that I can say with nearly 100% certainly are having an impact on you. 
• Ask for what you need from your spouse.  More cooking? More help with kids? More flex?   If you don’t feel like things are being split correctly, this is the time to speak up (in love).
• Decrease you information intake
  • Find someone to talk to.  Connect with a trusted friend, sister, mother, etc. 

• Bring mindfulness into your life.  Maybe you tried it before and it didn’t work.  Try again. 
• Do at least one self-care thing per week, and more if you can. 
• Sleep

• If you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed or just need help navigating career or personal life during COVID-19, sign-up for a free 20 min flash coaching session