How To C.O.V.I.D Your Way Out Of COVID

How to C.O.V.I.D your way out of Covid. Hey everyone, I hope you are well. In today’s post, I have a guest post from Mr Sid Madge. Sid Madge is the founder of Meee (My Education Employment Enterprise), which draws on the best creativity and thinking from the worlds of branding, psychology, neuroscience, education and sociology, to help people achieve extraordinary lives. To date, Meee has transformed the lives of over 20,000 people, from leaders of PLC’s and SME’s to parents, teachers, students, carers, the unemployed and prison inmates. Sid Madge is also the author of the ‘Meee in Minute’ series of books that offer 60 ways to change your life, work-, or family life in 60 seconds.

How To C.O.V.I.D your way out of COVID

We have all been through a lot, so I’m guessing that everyone is ready for the next stage of the journey out of Covid!

I’m a great believer in ‘micro-moments, the ability to change our life at any moment and how to use these tiny manageable interventions to gain positive momentum – even when things are challenging. I’ve written three Meee in a Minute book, each offering 60 one-minute micro-ideas and insights that can help us to shift our perception in life, family and at work.

To help us make the transition out of Covid, let me share 5 micro-moments. The initial letters spell C-O-V-I-D, something easy to remember.

C is about: Creating a better situation all around

The last 16 months have been a nightmare. However, the pandemic brought some stillness and reflection to many of us. We stepped off the hamster wheel of our busy lives juggling family and other commitments for a while. We had a unique opportunity to stop and ponder on life. According to a YouGov poll, only 8% of Britons want to go back to life as it was before the pandemic, so there is a desire for change.

What’s shifted is that many of us have come to appreciate, perhaps for the first time in years, what’s really important. The C in C-O-V-I-D is an invitation to create something new or better. Something that works for all the parts of your life.

Perhaps you’ve decided you want to change jobs or move to a new house or start your own business? Does that dream that’s always seemed too far away seem doable now? Perhaps you’ve decided that maybe part-time would be a nice compromise. Perhaps all you really want is to go for a coffee and hug your friend!  What does better look like for you now?

Take a minute to consider your current family life and the wider situation. Imagine that the virus is a distant memory – what is your ideal life like now? Forget the grand and the bold. Focus on the insights you’ve learned in this stillness about what makes you happy. Decide to go after more of that.

O is about: Optimism provides an opportunity

Would you describe yourself as a glass-half-empty or glass-half-full sort of person?  Most of us believe we are one or the other though science has proven that we operate across a range that is impacted a little by genetics. By far, the biggest contributors are environment and mindset. Genetics is a tiny player in our optimism levels.

The father of positive psychology, Martin Seligman, suggests that pessimism is largely learned. Which mean it can be unlearned. The key is through what he called ‘explanatory style’. This is the way we draw meaning from events and situations that we face. Uber pessimism tends to see things as personal, pervasive and permanent. In other words, when things go wrong, it’s their fault and will ‘infect’ all other areas of their life. So, a lost job will spell doom for a relationship and lead to ill health – that sort of thing. And all of this is permanent (in their minds).

Optimism feels better, and it gives us access to more resources. Besides, it’s more real. Nothing is permanent, not even Covid. For a while, try flipping the switch. See every challenge as beyond your control. That’s not to say you avoid responsibility. We all still need to do our bit and stay safe. Don’t allow upset from one part of your life to seep into other areas. Instead, be grateful for all the things that are going well. By nudging our way to the optimistic end of our range, we’ll feel better and see more opportunities.

V is about: Values – keeping focused on what’s most important

Our values can explain everything we do. Our actions and behaviour are usually a living expression of those values. Do you know what your values are?

When I worked in the world of branding, we used to help organisations get clear on their values so they could understand the impact they were having on the business, behaviour, recruitment and culture.

When I started the Meee Programme, I created something similar – a set of 56 values cards. We ask participants to look through the cards and pick five values that resonate with them or that they want to demonstrate in their life. Take a minute to visit the Meee website (www.mee.global) and take part in the values exercise – this will help you identify your values. What’s most important to you in your life?  Money? Family? Kindness? Honesty?  What do you stand for? What are your ethics or code of conduct? Can you see evidence of these values in your life?  For example, if you believe you value kindness, when did you last demonstrate kindness? If you really want to know what you value, look at what you do.  Use your values to keep you focused on what’s really important.

I is about: Involving those that need your help, love and support

Humans are social creatures. This is a huge part of why Covid has been such a nightmare for so many. The threat of the illness itself is almost secondary to the loss of contact with those we love.

But we can still get involved and stay connected. Maybe slip a note through a neighbour’s door to make sure they are OK. Can you do some shopping or walk the dog for someone who needs a little extra help?  The Samaritans have been promoting a brilliant idea – Brew Monday. Make a brew and call someone for a chat. Just reach out. We might not be able to do all the things we used to do yet, but we can still talk and stay connected.

D is about: Dialling the stress down

Be gentle with yourself and help family members and friends do the same. Make sure you eat properly and get out into nature if you can. Do some form of exercise or activity a few times a week – it will help to discharge any stress you feel. Take some time to wind down – give meditation or yoga a go. There are loads of free resources online.

Cycle back to ‘I’ – our stress levels are usually reduced when we have company. A problem shared is a problem halved. It may not be the same as it was just yet, but we can still keep in touch, talk and laugh. And most of all, remember, this too shall pass.

We can use C-O-V-I-D to take stock and reset all aspects of our lives. Let take some time to regroup, connect, albeit differently, with our loved ones. We can make better choices that support us as we journey into a different type of normal.

I hope you enjoyed that.

Talk Soon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sid Madge is the founder of Meee (My Education Employment Enterprise), which draws on the best creativity and thinking from the worlds of branding, psychology, neuroscience, education and sociology, to help people achieve extraordinary lives.

To date, Meee has transformed the lives of over 20,000 people, from leaders of PLC’s and SME’s to parents, teachers, students, carers, the unemployed and prison inmates.

Sid Madge is also the author of the ‘Meee in Minute’ series of books that offer 60 ways to change your life, work-, or family life in 60 seconds.

Web: www.meee.global

Web: www.meeebooks.com

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