2020 will go on record as one of the most challenging years for most. Certainly, for myself, this is true. Covid-19 has had a significant impact on how we live our lives and carry out our daily activities. Consequently, the year has provided its fair share of challenges as companies and people have had to innovate to keep the direct and indirect impacts of Covid-19 to a minimum. With 2020 coming to a close, it provides an opportunity to reflect and look at how to improve on 2021. Here are 3 career lessons from 2020 that will ensure success for 2021.
Lesson 1: Focus on the solution and not the problem
Problems and challenges are an inevitable part of your day-to-day work life. However, throw in a global pandemic, and it really does take things up a notch or two. Covid-19 has forced many organizations to change how they carry out their daily business with no certainty of when normality will return. Working from home, changing the way you carry out your daily tasks, or a worst-case scenario of losing your job can all be stressful. Every situation proposes its own unique challenge for everyone, and 2020 has thrown many challenges our way.
Purely focusing on the problem never helps as it only uses up your energy and time. The key is to become a solution-focused person and devote your time and energy to address the problem at hand. This will also help take your mind away from the negativity surrounding the problem. The most successful people in the world do this, and they do it very well as they don’t let problems stand in the way of their success. Don’t let the problem overcome you, instead focus on finding a solution and make the best use of your time and energy.
Lesson 2: Celebrate the small wins
While there may not have been many positives to celebrate in 2020, it really is important to celebrate the small ones. Your small wins may not change the world, but they will give you that buzz you need to keep you on target for your bigger goal. Small wins will ensure you feel like you are making progress. Placing your emphasis on the overarching goal at times may feel like you are never going to get there.
Breaking a big goal down into bite-sized chunks to work towards will ensure it is not so daunting. Routinely delivering on these bite sized chunks will snowball, resulting in you reaching your major achievement. For example, delivering on that massive project the company has entrusted to you may seem overwhelming. Pulling together the project plan or even presenting your first progress report are small wins. Even the fact that you are working in your chosen profession every day is a win. Make sure you make the most of those small wins and celebrate them how you would like to.
Lesson 3: Make sure you take time out for yourself
It is important to have other things outside of your work for you to focus on. Getting caught up in the day to day routine of work is only natural. Working hard and long hours and forgetting to take leave will eventually lead to tiredness and burn out. It is your responsibility to manage your time off and stress levels to avoid burnout. Taking breaks from work keeps you refreshed, recharged, and refocused.
A day off, let alone a holiday during a global pandemic, may not seem like the best time to take a break. With lockdown measures enforced, the global tourism industry has come to a grinding halt. Many countries have closed their borders, so there may not seem like too many places you can go. If it’s not possible to travel anywhere, then why use annual leave?
Not taking a break during lockdown could harm your productivity and even your health. When all the days blend into one, and you may not be working your normal 9-5, it’s more important than ever. This allows you to take care of yourself mentally. Even if it means using up some of your annual leave so you can relax. Mentally detaching from work is super important. Be sure to make time for yourself and spend time with the people you care about most, even video conferencing. This will do the world of good for your state of mind and keeping you free from burning out.
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