Hidden Opportunity

 

Are you stuck at home like the vast majority of the world right now? Are you running out of chores to do around your home and are now looking for “make work” projects to get through the day?

Well, I am here to offer you a different perspective to not only get through these unprecedented times, but also to give you a chance to get ahead of the curve as well.

Every cloud has a silver lining. As long as you are safe, have food in your cupboards, and time on your hands, you are actually in a position to create something better for yourself and all that is required is your imagination and a little focus.

Time on your hands is a gift. Yes, it is unfortunate how we came to be having these extra hours but we need to take advantage of them and use them to their fullest potential. Do not waste them on T.V. or Netflix or whatever mindless entertainment is your usual go to time filler. Now is the time to create something for yourself.

The first thing that you want to do is get still and let your monkey mind’s chatter fall away. I’m not going to get into meditation techniques as that is a blog post in itself. What I will say is, if you have a hard time sitting still and being quiet, then find an activity that is repetitive. Something mindless like peeling vegetables or sweeping the floor. Some function that puts your body on autopilot and allows your mind to wander.

Having a shower works well. I get my best ideas in the shower. The warmth calms the body while the moving water washes over you and stimulates your personal energy system which allows for ideas to flow (pun intended).

Once you have your body occupied, let go of any worries or anxieties that may be twisting you up. These are the emotions that block creativity.  Now just make the decision to open your mind to new ideas.

It really is as simple as deciding not to think about the worries or fears that may or may not actually happen, but if that seems too hard, for now just allow yourself a moment or two to open your heart and mind to the world of possibilities.

Ask yourself, “What can I create right now with this extra time I have been given that will benefit me going forward?” Then release all expectations and let your mind wander. Remember to keep your body either still, or busy doing a mindless chore so your energy can focus on creating.

Be open to whatever comes up. It does not matter what it is. It does not matter if it is frivolous or silly, or challenging or completely out of your comfort zone, just be willing to entertain the idea.

Here’s why this is a great exercise to do.

1.  It gets your mind off of things you have no control of right now but are sucking vast amounts of your body’s energy.
2. It gives you a chance to let yourself come up with productive activities that you may otherwise never think of. We have all experienced time off and then when we came to the end, we think of a bunch of activities or projects we wished we had started. Here is your opportunity to think of them now instead of later.
3. Opening your mind allows you to think differently than your usual programmed thoughts. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again  but expecting a different result.  By allowing new thoughts into your head, you give yourself the chance to break out of well worn patterns that have been keeping you stuck.

This forced self-isolation is a real opportunity to create something different for yourself. Have you ever wanted to write a book? Now’s the time to create an outline. Have you ever wanted to start a fitness regime? Now’s the time to find an online workout and get started. Have you ever wanted to learn a new skill? Plenty of time right now to start practicing.

It’s all about making the decision to look past the situation and see the hidden opportunities that this time at home can create. The pandemic that the world is facing right now is real and scary but it is also an opportunity to change. To open yourself to other possibilities, ones that you may have never given yourself permission to consider because your precious time had been taken up with outside responsibilities.

So quiet that monkey mind that is ramping up the fear and anxiety inside of you and open your mind to the creative flow of the universe. Allow yourself to think outside the box. Give yourself permission to start a passion project.  Dig up that dream buried deep inside your soul and expose it to the light. Use this time to create. Give yourself permission to look towards the future by starting on that dream today.

That way, when this is all over and we do our best to get back, once again, to normal life, you will have given your future self a real boost by taking this current uncertainty and create a different outcome for yourself. As a bonus, that potential opportunity that is currently hidden inside of you, just might generate a different and better outcome for others as well.