At the writing of this publication, this blog estimates that the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits has reached roughly the 60 million mark. Are you in the same boat, Dear Readers? Fear not, this blog has compiled a robust list of actionable steps to help you manage this stressful crisis.
Welcome, Dear Readers! The JMS team is back with valuable insights that will inspire you to be fearless in the pursuit of your dreams. If it’s your first time here, the JMS team is thrilled you decided to stop by the blog today! FYI, JMS is a consulting firm located in Philadelphia that advises people and organizations on how to manage crises with efficiency. To that end, the JMS team is in the business of designing recovery plans as robust as possible that avoid behavioral and financial paralysis. Therefore, Dear Readers, this blog will help you make sense of these unprecedented times without feeling devoid of motivation and utterly defeated. You got this, Dear Readers, and don’t you ever forget it!
So, Dear Readers, how are you doing? Take a moment and tune into what you are feeling right this minute. Are you discouraged, depressed, or overwhelmed? Are you mad at the world? Are you scared for your life? Are you feeling lonely? You are entitled to display the myriad of emotions just enumerated as we are, after all, living in unprecedented times! To make matters worse, the WHO just warned that there is currently a second “very serious” coronavirus surge in Europe, which could trigger another wave of lockdowns stateside sooner than we think. With all of these stressors, Dear Readers, how can you find the energy to do the work required to get your brand back on track and snag a great job?
The FIRST phase in getting your brand back on track is to manage your mental health.
For many of us, losing a job is akin to losing your raison d’être. While we love to complain about the stress of daily living, most of us love working and can’t stand being home doing anything days in and days out. But this global pandemic has forced us in an unhealthy level of isolation that is wreaking havoc on our mental health. Consequently, Dear Readers, this blog invites you to do everything you need to protect your mind. Mental health is sacred, and we should tend to it periodically rather than take it for granted!
In times of great distress, Dear Readers, consistency is a potent tool as it goes a long way to bring a sense of normalcy back into your life. Consider thus creating a routine that introduces predictability and therefore reduces the opportunity for your mind to sink deeper into uncontrollable black holes that usually do nothing good except perhaps raise your blood pressure! You want to take good care of yourself by eating as healthily as possible and exercise daily. You want to organize your day around set times for meals, chores, sleep, and even homework support sessions if you have children doing distance learning. It is also a good idea to schedule regular breaks to tune out the chaos and cultivate inner peace. You probably want to limit news consumption and seek support from health care professionals in addition to loved ones. Do everything you can to quiet your mind, Dear Readers, to have the clarity to see how you want your life to move forward.
Now that you’ve restored some sense of normalcy, the SECOND phase in getting your brand back on track is to ditch addictive behaviors.
Dear Readers, let’s begin by acknowledging that this global pandemic has heightened the negative impact that isolation plays on our mental health. For that reason, Dear Readers, this blog insists that to protect your mental health effectively, you need reliable coping mechanisms.
Honestly, Dear Readers, it is understandable that you might have endured the imposed yet acute isolation of mandatory lockdowns by relying on numb inducing substances (i.e., eating less healthy food, devouring more sugary loaded snacks, drinking more alcohol, even indulging in recreational drugs). As we know it too well, such addictive practices are likely to destroy lives as they tend to cause long-term diseases or disabilities as well as seriously disrupt family dynamics via domestic abuse unwelcomed occurrences.
In short, Dear Readers, this blog believes that developing reliable coping mechanisms goes a long way to avoid decision fatigue, which leads to procrastination. But, if you are feeling too overwhelmed to make such demanding changes, you can always make tiny ones instead. For example, you can switch out one processed food you eat every day for a healthier option such as fruit or nuts once a day. If you enjoy having a nigh cap every day, you can skip it twice a week. And with the advances that telemedicine has made in the last six months, Dear Readers, you have access to critical medical specialties that are safe alternatives to in-person visits. You can thus schedule regular professional support sessions at any moment and finally learn how to process your emotions rather than take them on your loved ones. In the long run, Dear Readers, these tiny changes add up to substantial behavioral changes that contribute to a healthier lifestyle and robust emotional stability.
Now that you’ve reintroduced order in your personal life and gained a real sense of emotional stability, you are ready for the THIRD phase to get your career back on track.
But amid a global pandemic that by all accounts is likely fanning the flames of a burgeoning recession, Dear Readers, how are you supposed to find a new job? You’ll have to take matters in your hands and remain flexible. With some sectors of the US economy on life support, as seen in the Economic Impact Report Yelp published last week informs that 60% of the businesses that closed due to the coronavirus will not reopen, flexibility is indeed the name of the game Dear Readers!
So, Dear Readers, you can take the traditional route of applying to hundreds or even thousands of job postings and hope for the best. However, this blog would like to see you level up and create an opportunity for a portfolio of glowing references by cultivating your talents for all to see on the internet. Dear Readers, do you know a more effective way to snag a better job if you do not let everyone know how much of an asset you are?!
Now, remember, Dear Readers, this is not the moment to let doubt scare you off into a full-blown anxiety attack. Instead, think the sky is the limit and visualize yourself soaring right this minute! Also, consider exploring unconventional avenues such as posting videos on YouTube, curating an artistic portfolio on Instagram, or making a LinkedIn profile extremely dynamic by posting presentations. Whatever the social media medium you choose, remember that the goal is to put your talents on display for all to see.
And there you have it, Dear Readers! Drop us a line in the comment section below or at jms@branding24seven.com to let us know if you agree with us. The JMS team loves to get mail, so don’t be shy, and feel free to send your letters at 21 S. 11th street 2nd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107. So, Dear Readers, which phase rings truth to you? Is this article helping you find strength and purpose amid what feels like the most heartbreaking moment of our time? Share this article with friends, family, co-workers, and anyone who is going through a tough time but needs the motivation to keep going!
As always, this blog is here for you to engage in scintillating discussions and find new avenues to make your brand as dynamic as possible. Thank you for stopping by and keep fighting the good fight!
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