How to Thrive in the New Normal

By Diane Tait

Here we are more than five months into the COVID-19 crisis and it doesn’t look as though it’s going to get all that much better in the near future.  For the public this has meant having to wear masks everywhere they go, not to mention keeping a proper social distance from friends and coworkers.  For many businesses it has meant changing the way in which they do business, or even changing the products and services they provide.  To help both consumers and business owners, I decided it was time to take a good hard look at what has been labeled the New Normal to see what kind of changes we all need to embrace if we’re going to thrive instead of merely survive the continuing crisis.

Nearly ninety percent of Americans feel that their personal life has been impacted by the Coronavirus, with nearly half admitting that the outbreak has changed their life in a major way.  On top of the social implications, one in three Americans have admitted that they or someone in their household has either lost their job or has experienced a loss of income due to the outbreak.  Many businesses have suffered an economic downturn since the start of the crisis, since many people are afraid to venture inside retail establishments and restaurants.  Even service businesses have found their revenues slipping, since people are staying home and doing more of the household chores themselves.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is that there are those individuals and businesses that have managed to thrive since the pandemic began.  What’s their secret?

Is this now a mad, mad world?

Doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity. While human beings are very innovative, they are also known for an aversion to change.  Since March, everyone on the planet has had to deal with a world that has changed so radically that there is no longer a comfort zone for any of us.  Whether you’ve been forced to work less or work from home, you’ve had to deal with change that was as sudden as it was unexpected.  Where you used to be able to work hard and play hard, current events have made it such that there’s precious little to do when the work week is done.  This leads many to lament that nothing that can be done about it.  

Therein lies the problem.  If you want your situation to change, you need to embrace change itself.

Albert Einstein once said, “We are boxed in by the condition of our thinking.”  This pearl of wisdom was uttered by one of the greatest out-of-the-box thinkers of all time.   If it wasn’t for the discoveries of Einstein and his compatriots, there would have been no computer revolution.  Cellular phones would still be relegated to science fiction.  What luminaries like Einstein had to do to succeed was go against the grain of scientific thought to create mathematical principles that changed not only the way that mathematicians thought about space and time, but inevitably changed how the world worked. 

We on the other hand, only have to find a way to change the way we think about how the world now works.  Below are ten ways to thrive in the new normal:

      1.      Make the digital domain your friend. – If you’re now working from home, learn how to embrace free teleconferencing since it saves you lots of time and money.  Instead of driving all over town to meet with prospects, all you have to do is point and click. If you own a business, now is the perfect time to perfect your online marketing.  If customers will no longer come to your place of business, take your place of business to the world via eCommerce.

Image courtesy Storyblocks.com

      2.      Accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative. – Not everything that has occurred since March has been a downer.  Make a list of all the good and bad things that have happened to you since the start of the pandemic.  Then find a way to do more of what has worked for you and eliminate what hasn’t.  A friend of mine owns a restaurant which nearly folded when the pandemic started.  Then he noticed that while his dining room was nearly empty, his takeout orders were through the roof.  He quickly restructured his marketing to focus on takeout and now he’s making more money than before COVID-19.

      3.      What can you do when the universe gives you lemons? – Anytime there is a crisis, there are bargains to be had.  The trick is to ferret out the bargains before the crisis is over.  Think about it.  When was the last time gas prices hovered around $2.00 a gallon? Everyone from first-time home buyers to car buyers can now find discounts, repayment deferrals and finance deals galore.

      4.      Home for the holidays? – If you’re usually away from the family during the holidays due to your occupation, there’s a good chance that this year you’ll be home.

      5.      What to do when the doldrums set in? – While many outside entertainment venues are off your radar for the time being, the entertainment industry is offering many low-cost or no-cost deals to watch at home.  Some online portals like Tinder, Global Citizen and Apple music are providing free access and hosting live performances that you can stream.

      6.      Are you a bookworm? – While the libraries are closed, you can get your fix by signing up for a free month of Amazon Kindle Unlimited.

      7.      The more you learn, the more you earn. – Looking to get a degree?  This could be the best time ever to enroll in online coursework.  Even if you aren’t looking to get a degree, there are a number of online education portals that currently offer free courses.  Coursera and MasterClass Live currently offer adult education classes and Scholastic offers free Learn at Home classes for K-6^th graders.

      8.      Healthy is as healthy does. – If you now work at home, you should consider using some of the extra time you normally devoted to the workplace to more health-centered activities.  Consider walking or biking before the workday begins when the summer temperatures are a bit cooler.  Head out on the water for a paddle or a sail on the weekend. Even just a hike down a nature trail is a great pick me up.

      9.      Tired of eating takeout food? – Now is a great time to learn how to cook.  There are millions of online cooking videos that show you step-by-step how to prepare meals at home that aren’t only tastier than takeout, they’re a lot cheaper.

      10.  Insurance rebates and discounts – If you haven’t spoken to your insurance agent lately, now is the best time to call.  There are too many rebates and discounts to list in this blog.  I mean, who doesn’t like to save money?

Diane Tait owns and operates A&B Insurance.  To find out more about how you can save money on insurance, go to her site or fill out the form at right.