Raise your hand if you feel like the last month has been the longest year of your life.

I feel ya, believe me, I do. My hope and prayer is that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe.

And assuming that you are healthy and that you’re trying to adjust to working virtually and in a socially distanced environment, I’d like to offer some thoughts for how you might be more productive during this time.

Being from south Louisiana, you can imagine that we have been through many hurricanes and storms here. Way back in 1992 we were hit hard by Hurricane Andrew. I know the exact date because I was approximately 10 1/2 months pregnant with my third child, had a toddler and a five-year-old, and we were without electricity in the heat of August in south Louisiana. We did, however, manage to recover within a reasonable amount of time. (And I did finally give birth to that baby. Okay, maybe I exaggerated just a leeetle bit about the length of that pregnancy, but I can tell you it felt like 10 1/2 months!)

And then there was Katrina. Katrina took the world as we knew it, and turned it upside down. Recovery took a bit longer, to say the least.

A phrase that we all heard frequently during that time and for a while after, was the “new normal.” Systems and infrastructure and, well, life, seemed to take forevah to bounce back. “Normal” became redefined as everyone had to adjust and adapt to life after the storm.

You are likely feeling a bit off-kilter, a bit disoriented. I know I am.

I know the first inclination is to sit on the sofa, binge-watching Netflix with a bag of CheeWees at your side. And I’ll admit to doing a certain amount of that myself. But ultimately, you need to pull yourself together and step up as a leader for your team, your organization, and your family and friends.

Let me suggest to you that you give some thought to how you will structure your days so that you can best adapt to the “new normal” and achieve some level of productivity during this time.

Your habits are the key to managing yourself and your life.

It’s often the small changes we make to our daily routines that enable the BIG changes in our lives and careers. (Speaking of which, how are ya doing with that hand washing?)

I don’t know about you, but I can’t rely on self-discipline to direct my behavior in crucial moments. I need to be very intentional about it. Because the thing is,

Hope is not a strategy.

I can’t just hope that I’ll be productive, I need to set the intention and establish action steps that I’ll take consistently.

During these unsettling times, I think it’s more important than EVAH to create a routine and structure for your days. I also think there are some things that we may need to include in every day just to maintain our sanity. While we’re all different and have different needs,

Here are some things to think about including in your routine to be able to bring your best self to your team:

• Nutritious foods
• Getting enough sleep, (I know, easier said than done)
• Movement or some kind of exercise
• Getting out in nature
• Time for silence/prayer/meditation
• Drinking plenty of water
• Connecting regularly with your loved ones, whether in-person or virtually
• Practicing gratitude
• Taking frequent breaks, stretching and walking around
• Having a regular time to touch base with your team members

You know yourself better than anyone and you know what it takes for you to bring your A-game as a leader.

If you were to make a list of supportive daily habits that you need to practice – without exception – that are just non-negotiable – in order to be at your best, what would be you include?

Don’t underestimate the importance of connecting with other people, albeit virtually. Having that interaction can do wonders for your mental state. And if you can laugh and put your anxiety aside for a few minutes, so much the better!

Last week, as the reality of our home-bound state hit, well, home, some friends and I jumped on Zoom and had a Virtual Happy Hour. My concerns and challenges were still there afterwards, but I tell ya, I felt much more up for the task. We laughed and talked over one another and acted silly and it was like a balm to my soul. We committed to doing this weekly as sort of a therapeutic tactic for dealing with our stress. Who knows? Maybe we’ll continue long after coronavirus is a distant memory.

So what habits will you bake into your day as you adapt and maintain productivity during this “new normal?”

I’d love to hear from you and hope that you’ll reach out if you’d like a guide on the side to coach you through these challenging times.

Now go wash your hands!

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Jennifer Ledet, CSP, is a leadership consultant and professional speaker (with a hint of Cajun flavor) who equips leaders from the boardroom to the mailroom to improve employee engagement, teamwork, and communication.  In her customized programs, leadership retreats, keynote presentations, and breakout sessions, she cuts through the BS and talks through the tough stuff to solve your people problems.

Photo by Carl Newton on Unsplash