Most of us would agree – this season of quarantine and working from home has lasted much longer than we expected. Figuring out what to do in quarantine to keep busy while also adjusting to this new way of life has been quite the process. If you’re anything like me, you might find yourself missing the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the office. There’s just something about being around people and productivity that keeps me going.
I’ve been busier than ever since announcing our new company, Highnoon, earlier this year. But I’ve also made time to get outdoors regularly for golf and fulfilled a personal goal of adding a furry companion to my house – my new dog, Finn.
I’m sure many of us have gone through our ups and downs while navigating these past few months – some days you just want to kick back and relax, some days you’re ready to buckle down and be a productivity machine. Now that this routine has truly sunk in as our new norm, you might be starting to burn out.
Even though we’ve been at this for months now, it’s not too late to rethink your approach to this season and make the most of all this extra time at home. With that in mind, here are some places to start:
Learn a new skill
I know, I know – at this point, you’ve probably seen one too many ads for Skillshare, Masterclass and other online learning platforms. The class options are seemingly endless, and it can feel overwhelming to even know where to begin. Many of us have a heaping handful of personal and professional interests, and in this age of the multi-hyphenate, having multiple skills is oftentimes not only a benefit – it’s a requirement.
Take some time to think about your current position and long-term goals. What kinds of skills and tools can you start building now to get you where you want to be in one, five, ten years?
Do you want to take on more speaking engagements? Pick up a book about public speaking, or check out some of Toastmasters’ online learning resources. Looking to build entrepreneurial skills? Take a Masterclass on negotiation from Chris Voss, learn how to go freelance or even check out Forbes’ entrepreneurship resources. There’s seemingly no limit to what you can learn online, so don’t hesitate to explore your options.
Teach a new skill
No matter what your specialty is, I can almost guarantee there is somebody out there who would benefit from your knowledge – especially with so many people still figuring out what to do in quarantine to prepare themselves for the future. Skillshare is a good place to start, as they offer the ability to create your own course. If you’re looking for something a little more casual, statistics show over a billion learning-related videos are viewed on YouTube every day. Starting a YouTube channel is free, simple, and can easily be shared and embedded into any other online platforms you may be using.
Start a blog
A blog is another fantastic way to share your knowledge and opinions with the world, especially if teaching via video doesn’t interest you. Not only can a blog be monetized and bring in a little extra income – it can also be an excellent platform for driving traffic to your personal or company website.
If you don’t currently have a website, don’t let that stop you from learning how to create a blog – starting a blog on WordPress, Blogger or even Squarespace is simple and user-friendly. Many professionals also choose to create content on Medium.
A blog is a great jumping off point for you to position yourself as a source of expertise and support within your industry – plus, it gives you the opportunity to fine-tune your perception of your ideal audience, clients and colleagues so you can organically connect with people who are going to help you grow. Blogging also allows you to share a little bit of your personality and invites people to get to know the person behind the skills.
Update your professional assets
When’s the last time you updated your resume? How about your LinkedIn? If you have a personal website or online portfolio, is it up to date in terms of content and design? It’s never been a better time to give your professional selling points a facelift. Maybe that’s just a small update here and there … or maybe you’ve been putting a major project – such as creating a website or revamping your brand – on the backburner for quite some time now.
Get clear on your goals, mission and vision for the future then use this extra time to advance your professional aspirations. Ask yourself: What connections will help you get there? Are you on the cutting edge of your industry (or ideal industry)? What does that cutting-edge look like?
Scope out your competition and inspiration equally – see what they’re doing well and figure out how to emulate those qualities in your own work.
If you need a little guidance, my colleagues over at Highnoon have offered some insight that may help you make decisions about updating your website, writing better web copy and even rethinking your design strategy.
Optimize your space
If I had to sum up my entire list of “what to do in quarantine” suggestions in a single word, it would be “optimize.” Optimizing yourself for success; optimizing your professional assets for growth; optimizing your plans for a stronger future. But it doesn’t stop there – optimizing the space around you is just as meaningful as any other strategy. Intentional design can make a major difference in your productivity, mood and even your overall self-confidence.
Take a mental survey of the things that might help you feel more inspired and structured in your home office. Maybe that’s a new desk, more storage space, or even just a new knick knack or two. Curating a space you enjoy working in will help you execute your plans more energetically and efficiently.
Want to inspire your peers who are still figuring out what to do in quarantine to advance their professional goals? I’m available for virtual speaking engagements. Contact me to learn more and get something on the books.