Defining a New Normal – How do I?

Background

Things are changing around us faster than some of us may like – the question is how do I adapt myself to new circumstances and what is going on around me to create a new normal? 

This is a question being asked in millions of homes around the world. It is fair and one I wonder about too! The million-dollar questions are:  when will be over? What will my life be like once lockdowns are lifted?

All roads lead to Rome as the proverb says, so will it also be in recovering from Covid-19 impacts. But some roads are infinitely easier to travel than others, and that’s the focus of this blog. 

What can you do to help yourself?

It helps to recognize that current events, as stressful as they may be, are temporary and that evolution is an inevitable constant throughout our lives. None of us can stop the progressive wheels of change. 

It is not all bad news; we absolutely have some control. We can control how we react to events around us. This is where we will invest effort but before I share a technique to do that – there are a few other obvious things that you can do during the pandemic:

• Limit your own exposure to news stories – some news is important to feel connected or informed. Too much can wear on you and easily spiral into a negative place, even for the heartiest.
• Maintain a routine, be it an existing one or one adapted to the new circumstances we’re in.
• Exercise as much as you can, in the yard, in the house or in the park – whatever you can do, just do it.

With the obvious things addressed, let’s focus on an additional technique you can use to adapt to a new normal and new goals. A good place to start is a technique used by Walt Disney to shape his strategy (and change) – daydreaming, planning, and being constructively critical.

How do you do it?

Prepare to apply the technique – in three simple steps:

1. Come up with a dream of what you want your future to hold 
2. Choose three physical locations – one each to dream, plan and critique
3. Associate an on-fire feeling to each of the locations (the circle of resources can help)

Once you’ve completed the prep work, you are ready to run through the Disney technique. 

Step 1: Dream Big

Physically step into the location you chose and connect to your on-fire dreaming mode feeling. Now think about the big picture of your “dream”. Take time to see it freely and without restrictions, as if anything at all is possible. Identify the benefits that your “dream” will generate.

Step 2: Plan

Physically step into the second location you chose and connect to your on-fire planning mode feeling. As in the previous step, acting as if your dream is entirely achievable, consider the actionable plan necessary to make your dream a reality.

Step 3: Critique

Step into your third physical location and identify with your best critique mode feeling. Your job here is to identify weaknesses, gaps and impacts.

At this point, you’ve completed the first pass. Now you need to cycle through it.

Apply this technique to your plan regularly (perhaps weekly) to embed it – your desired result will follow!

The result of our collective experiences will be an environment that, while different from our pre-covid19 past, is rich in possibilities for those who are prepared to seize them.

Sign into the Member Section to learn more about the Disney Technique to convert your dreams into reality.

Give it a go!