5 Tips to Own 2021 Like a Pro
Hallo There + Happy New Year!
On the cusp of 2021, it’s inevitable to look back on the roller coaster of a year 2020 has been. The novel coronavirus terrorized us into our homes, turning the world and the status quo upside down. Yet, we persisted.
2020 wasn’t just the year of a global pandemic, social distancing, or “the new norm.” It was just as much about reconnecting with our loved ones, prioritizing mental health, realizing the importance and sacrifices of frontline and essential workers, making undeniable strides in the fight for equality and so much more!
While the past year has certainly been one for the books, it’s time to turn the page and focus on crafting a hopeful narrative for 2021. Does that sound daunting?
Never fear, Hallo is here!
Our first blog post for the year will cover exactly that!
Here at Hallo, we’re big believers in making the most of every situation. Whether your glass seems half empty right now, you’re stressed by the ongoing consequences of the global pandemic, or disheartened by a lackluster daily routine, a few simple shifts can help you find the discipline and motivation to take advantage of the current season and make progress towards your professional and personal goals.
Keep Calm and Scroll On!
Tip #1: Take Inventory of Your Habits
Staying at home for months on end is a little like an extended holiday break without the decorations, parties, and gifts. When you’re home for the holidays from college or your job, sleeping in, eating more than normal, and having a less-than-structured routine is completely okay — after all, it’s your holiday break! Seasonal breaks are welcomed and necessary.
However, if those habits have started to creep in during quarantine and are still lingering around, you might find yourself feeling lethargic, unmotivated, and just “off” in general. That’s because living life unstructured for extended periods of time isn’t healthy for us emotionally, vocationally, or socially.
Before you jump right in and change anything, take an inventory of your current weekday habits. Are you sleeping in, ordering takeout more than 2 or 3 times per week, or spending hours scrolling through social media? Are you drinking during the weeknights if you’re of age, or do you stay in your jammies all day and stay up later than normal?
Don’t guilt yourself if your routine is currently less than stellar. The inventory is simply a starting point so that you know where to go from here. Give your weekdays some structure by getting a planner or making a simple daily to-do list if calendars aren’t your thing. Try to implement the low hanging fruit first — the obvious, well-known healthy habits like getting outside, drinking more water, and focusing on good sleep.
When you’re ready, you can schedule in other activities that you know will move you toward your personal goals, whether that’s listening to a podcast on your daily walk, meal planning with healthy options for Monday through Friday, setting career related goals (updating your resume, applying for jobs, etc.), or (safely) finding a new read at a local bookstore about your industry of choice to keep you engaged.
2020 wasn’t just the year of a global pandemic, social distancing, or “the new norm.” It was just as much about reconnecting with our loved ones, prioritizing mental health, realizing the importance and sacrifices of frontline and essential workers, the undeniable strides in the fight for equality and so much more!
Tip #2: Take a Brief Media Pause
The combination of COVID-19, the social unrest around the country that began last May and deluge of political news as we race towards a new presidency can definitely leave you feeling overwhelmed. While staying informed is crucial, especially during this hallmark time for our country and world, try unplugging for a while if you find that the headlines are having a negative effect on your day to day life.
One way to do this is bookending your day with one hour of phone- and laptop-free time. Use the time as an opportunity to read, get outside for fresh air, make some headway with a new read, or engage in a hands-on hobby, like tending to a garden or getting your hands dirty with a DIY project. The news will always be there for you when you are ready to return to it.
The advantages of screen- and media-free time are undeniable. Berkeley reports that daily screen-free time can improve sleep, deepen face-to-face connections, and make improving your focus, completing assignments, and absorbing information much easier.
With the world seemingly traveling at break-neck speed, seek out practices that will slow you down, enhance calmness, and improve your mental acuity.
Tip #3: For Professionals: Keep Hustling
It can be easy to get lost in your own thoughts and assume that no companies are hiring because of the effect COVID-19 has had on the economy. Trust us, this is not the case!
Don’t press the breaks on submitting applications or networking efforts, because recruiting teams aren’t taking a break either. In fact, most of the companies you’re probably interested in working for are well-equipped to fully function with remote workers and are chugging along at a pace that’s just as fast (if not faster) as it was before the crisis.
Stand out by improving your online presence (LinkedIn, Hallo Q&A sessions, a portfolio website, etc.) and continue to apply for jobs.
The combination of COVID-19, the social unrest around the country that began last May and deluge of political news as we race towards a new presidency can definitely leave you feeling overwhelmed. While staying informed is crucial, especially during this hallmark time for our country and world, try unplugging for a while if you find that the headlines are having a negative effect on your day to day life.
Tip #4 Try a Focus-Enhancing Activity
Whether you’re stuck at home with your parents or nestled in your own place, focusing probably feels harder than ever. From the boredom that comes from a lack of activity to the distractions of having your parents in the same quarters, focusing on your schoolwork, job applications, or learning can be challenging. One simple way to sharpen your attention is through focus-enhancing activities, like yoga and meditation.
With the world seemingly traveling at break-neck speed, seek out practices that will slow you down, enhance calmness, and improve your mental acuity.
Meditation, yoga, or simple breathing exercises are an easy way to get your foot in the door. The wildly popular smartphone apps, Headspace and Calm, have millions of subscribers and offer easy, daily meditations (under 3 minutes) for people who are new to the practice. Even if you can’t go to a yoga studio, a quick Google search can prove helpful in finding morning stretches to awaken your body or improve focus at the 3pm afternoon slump.
Tip #5 Give Yourself a Break
Finally, remember to give yourself a break as you go through this process. From the world’s best CEOs to a recent graduate entering the workforce, nothing is normal for anyone right now, and that’s healthy to recognize. If you find yourself stressing out about the job climate, staying on top of classes, or worrying that your entire career and dreams are on the line, some good old-fashioned fun might be the ticket.
Give yourself permission to start a new Netflix series you’re really excited about, or spend a little extra cash on that at-home DIY project you’ve been dying to do. If you have a pet, outdoor play time or at-home snuggles can boost your mood as can trying a new recipe, focusing on a passion project, or calling your best friend.
Remember that after all this has passed, you might even look back on this season fondly for all the extra time you had to yourself and with family. We recommend taking advantage of it while you can and keeping your mindset as light as possible until things are officially back to “normal.”
We hope these tips are useful and presented concrete takeaways you can’t wait to implement as we “Say Hallo” to 2021!
