How will you start yet another week in shutdown?
Robyn, my wife, turned to me yesterday and said this shutdown has lasted eight weeks. The last eight weeks have included social distancing, school from home, work from home, not seeing the people we usually see, and more and more stats on flattening the curve.
Exhaustion has worn us out in this heavy season. Uncertainty fills each of our conversations as to when things will re-open again. Yet, we find ourselves amid another Monday.
You have the opportunity to make the most of this week. Despite the challenges in front of you, what if the days ahead do not have to be terrible? What if you could find ways to thrive this week?
Robyn inspires me often by quoting Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
Moving Monday from terrible to thriving requires a mindset transformation, especially during a shutdown. Here are five quick tips on starting another a week in shutdown:
- Identify the elephant in your mind.
Anxiety and worry run rampant until we identify the source – the elephant in our mind. You may have fear. You may feel a loss of control. You may grapple with an unknown future. Acknowledging the elephant in mind takes us off the hamster wheel. It pauses us long enough to see what we have in our grasp.
- Recount the wins and losses of last week.
You have heard it said the days of the week in a shutdown, “yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” Consider last week for a moment. What went better than you expected? What areas could you have handled better? Our exhaustion locks us in the present and future without looking back to the positiveness of the past.
- Commit the week in prayer.
Prayer seems obvious and cliché, especially coming from a pastor. Yet, in some ways, identifying the elephants in our minds and remembering the wins and losses of last week moves us towards Jesus. Those first two steps invite us to see His work in our lives. It also calls us to step beyond the fear, worry, exhaustion, and anxiety to recognize His power. Prayer keeps from feeling the burden we face this world alone.
- Pick three podcasts you will listen to this week.
The information can feel overwhelming but find a podcast that can shift your focus. Take the opportunity in this digital age to see from a different perspective. Listening to a podcast changes the conversation in your mind too. Start with a sermon from the church you attend and pick two other episodes that help you grow.
- Choose three people to connect with this week.
You have heard it said that “Physical isolation does not mean emotional isolation.” Some of us are Zoomed out. Consider people in your life who could listen to your voice and who you need to hear their voice. Connecting with people communicates that you cherish them. It creates space for conversation.
What quick tips would you offer for this upcoming week of shutdown? Share them in the comment section below.
Well said. Simple. Easy to execute. I am amazed when I hear the negativity surrounding Monday’s. Our God is a God of do-overs. Every Monday I get to do a new list, opportunity, and impact. I reflect on last week and look forward to a new week. I will admit. This shut down has thrown that out of wack! I have to “X” my days off or I will miss a day, and can’t get it back. (Maybe I will continue to do that after we begin again.) So today, I went for a walk in the beautiful drizzle with the colors of everything in bloom popping against the beautiful gray back-drop sky. The negative ions from the rain boosted my mood. I think I’ll get back to my work…after I have second breakfast. Thank you, Peter, for the reminder and tips we all need! Cheers!
Thanks for sharing Kristy! Blessings!