Getting Back to Business in a Post-Lockdown World

Others were forced to rapidly adjust to working from home as offices closed. Meanwhile, other workers were deemed essential, continuing to work in schools, hospitals and supermarkets under strange conditions designed to reduce the spread of the virus.

Even if your working day remained relatively unchanged, chances are you’ve been through a lot. Everyone has. Now that all remaining legal restrictions in England have been removed as part of the government’s ‘Living with Covid’ plan, we’re entering another new phase of the pandemic. So, how do we go about getting back to business in a post-lockdown world?    

Check In with Yourself

None of us are the same people we were back at the beginning of March 2020. The world has changed and so have we. Rather than simply picking up where you left off, it’s important to check in with yourself first. Have your values changed? Do you want the same things? What are your current goals, dreams and ambitions?

After looking inward, you might want to spend some time thinking about your business more generally. Does it need to evolve or change? What have your ideal clients been through over the last two years? How can you continue to serve them best?  

Habits to Hold On to and Things to Let Go of

Life in lockdown wasn’t all bad. In business, the shift online forced many to innovate and experiment with software and technology they’d previously avoided. Pivoting under pressure was tough, but businesses reached different audiences and discovered new income streams.

Away from work, many of us finally had the time and space to develop healthy habits like daily exercise and meditation. Some people explored new interests while others had more time for existing hobbies.

Now is an ideal time to consider what you want to hold on to from this period and what you’re ready to let go of. If daily walks and cooking from scratch helped you cope with pandemic-related stress, it might be a good idea to keep them up. Equally, there’s no need to do another pub quiz via Zoom ever again if you don’t want to!    

Put Some Structure Back into Your Days

Our daily routines have changed beyond all recognition multiple times over the last two years. Some people had endless empty hours to fill, others barely had time to catch their breath. No matter how your routine has been affected, you’ll probably benefit from a little more structure. If you’re struggling, a simple morning routine is a good place to start. You’ll find more inspiration and ideas in How to Be Productive and Avoid Burning Out.   

Coming Out of Isolation

The good news is we no longer have to go it alone as business owners. Co-working spaces are reopening, networking events are back, and you can finally meet your business bestie for a cup of coffee and a catch-up at your favourite local café.

After working from home in isolation for so long, some of these things might feel overwhelming or intimidating. Ease in gently and allow yourself time to recover. When it comes to socialising, we’re all a little out of practice! For more information and advice read A Simple Guide to Networking for Introverts.

If You Do One Thing This Week

Start by checking in with yourself. You might want to use the following questions as prompts in your journal:

• How has the pandemic changed you as a person? How has it changed your business?
• What did you like about lockdown? What didn’t you like?
• How do you feel about the ending of restrictions?
• What do you need right now? What does your business need?

Further Reading/Watching/Listening

• 6 Lockdown Habits to Keep
• 11 Tips to Cope with Anxiety About ‘Getting Back to Normal’
• How to Set Goals (and Be Gentle with Yourself)

Val