I changed out of my pajamas yesterday. We had frozen pizza for dinner and I responded to a dozen or so emails. Did I change the world? No. Do I count the day as a win? Absolutely. What social distancing and the Corona Virus has taught me? In time of trial and challenge give yourself credit for what you can do with what you have. Find joy and contentment in the little big wins during challenging times of your hour, week and year.

Stop Comparing

Any form of challenging time in life leaves you at a mental and physical disadvantage. You are not who you were before this experience. Nor will you be the same person after. It’s unfair to think that you can (or should) be performing the same level professionally or personally. Flip through social media and feel deflated by what Suzie in Oklahoma is giving her family for dinner? Or how John is smiling working from his at home office?

Dude! Here’s the deal! Nothing and no one is perfect. You are you and there is no other you on the planet. That’s a super cool thing. If Suzie makes an eight course meal for her family, rock on! Mine? We ate a delish pizza with a side of tater tots followed by some great family time. I did what I could with where I was at. My husband is teaching from home. I’m making a concerted effort to teach my son during the day while writing, pulling material for podcasting and the million other things. There are details and things on the to do list that just won’t make the cut. You know what? That’s ok. I will count what I do at the end of the day as little big wins.

Social Media Zone

For some, it will be important to monitor and maybe even severely limit social media exposure. If we find ourselves in a comparison zone constantly that is fired up from scrolling through Instagram, SnapChat or Tik Tok it’s probably wise to replace them with something that encourages rather than discourages.

What I’ve found great value in the past two months of social distancing? Reading more. Writing when I’m able. Writing letters to people. What feeds your sense of value? Focus on this. Veer from the things that evoke the sense of comparison and emotional deflation.

Judge and Jury

We can get inside our own heads and do a number on our self worth. “I’m not good enough.” Or there’s, “I can’t believe I did that again.” Have you experienced loss of a loved one? Grief can be butt kicking. Struggle through a break up? Lose a job that left you feeling like you were worthless? Hey! Listen up! We will hurt and feel gutted during different seasons in life. What we must remind ourselves is to take it easy on us. The pause button needs to go on with expectations for what we should and shouldn’t be doing personally and professionally. Allow for time to recharge, heal, get your head together.

Remind yourself daily that you are indeed, awesome and hold value. If you don’t believe your worth you will waiver with the temptation to judge yourself incessantly. This message may be something you repeat in your mind, you can say it out loud or even stick some colored post it notes around the house with whatever positive message brings you encouragement. Do not allow yourself to become caught in the trap of negative personal messages. We can beat the heck out of ourselves when we feel we fall short.

Negative Nancy

If negatives fill your mind and have a tendency to trickle out of your mouth about where you fall short you have a mission. Every time a negative pops out? Replace it with a positive about yourself. Seriously. Do it. During trying times, we must fight like heck to encourage ourselves, to find positives. Sometimes we have to pursue positivity like we have never before in order to keep our minds afloat.

Negativity is toxic. I believe that vehemently. The pursuit of positivity is a must during trying times. Want further encouragement and positive? Tap into those in your life who are willing to encourage you via phone call, text or email. Creating a support network can do amazing things.

Little BIG Wins During Challenging Times

Little BIG wins during a loss, a pandemic or anything else that is traumatic hold massive weight. Find victory in that five minute walk you went for. Pat yourself on the back for finishing that book after two months. Do you get where I’m going here? When it comes to seasons of serious challenge, do the best you can with what you have. Refrain from putting yourself down or comparing your feeling of short comings against peers or yourself. Love who you are with where you are…that’s not always easy, but self love is big time important.

Today, meet yourself where you are. Remind yourself that you’re awesome. Remind yourself that during this season doing the best you can with what you have and where you’re at is a positive. You are awesome! Never (ever) forget that.

Wishing you a tremendous amount of peace, love and celebration of little BIG wins!