In March of 2019 I was excited to start on my next creative journey, writing my six-book series, Quick Tips & Terms™ for Inventors, having just gone through the process of finishing the beta on my new online digital course: Inventing to Win™:The Road To Inventing. I gave myself one year to finish the companion book series with a dynamic marketing roll-out planned for March 2020.
The months flew by and my “book sextuplets” were going through the normal birthing process. My creative staff was wonderful in helping me to execute my thoughts and ideas onto paper. As I watched my books coming to life I couldn’t wait until the launch day .
In the first week of February 2020 I came down with a terrible respiratory cold that I thought was the flu. I had never experienced these types of symptoms before and spoke to my doctor who told me to rest, as it sounded like I had caught the seasonal flu that was going around. I also called friends and found that they too knew people with similar systems…so I just passed it off as an unusual case of the flu. During this period of feeling sick I kept looking at my books and my feelings of enthusiasm turned to apathy since I did not have the strength or desire to work on them.
It took several weeks before I started feeling better and back to myself. I began getting into the swing of things …working and started writing my books again. I then started hearing on the news about this new strain of virus called ” Covid19″ that was deadly and sweeping the world. I wondered if this virus was what I had…but did not think much about it …knowing how the news sensationalizes their reporting. The magnitude of this virus hit me when I was shopping at Duane Reade in New York City where I live, and watched as women frantically stuffed their carts full of rolls of toilet paper. In just a few minutes the shelves were empty. As I began sensing something was really very wrong, my focus shifted from writing my books to the “Covid19″ news. I could not believe what I was seeing on television … people all over the world being wheeled out of hospitals, one by one, having died from this new deadly virus.
My mood began to drastically change and I no longer felt like writing. As much as I tried not to watch the news it became necessary to find out what was going on. My mood only got worse as New York City went on lock down at the end of March, and I found myself in quarantine not able to work and not feeling like writing. I had to come to terms with what was happening in the world and how I was going to cope with the tragedies I was watching. My goal was to find the energy to finish my books, but I was feeling sad and no longer interested in writing.
Then one day I asked myself two questions “ Am I going to let Covid19 stop me from achieving my goals?” and “How do I get through this period of sadness, isolation, fear, and anxiety?”. I was determined to find the answer so I could feel normal again and finish my books… so I came up with a “Creating Through Covid19” plan of action.
It took me several weeks to implement this plan of action and adjust to my new lifestyle. There were important, specific actions I took that empowered me and kept me focused on my goal to finish my books and continue with my marketing plan. Now two months later… I am happy to announce it worked and although I am still in quarantine, I have given birth to my “book sextuplets” and my planned marketing effort is a part of this blog.
I decided I wanted to share this experience and what I have learned in my “Creating Through Covid19” plan. I hope the following action plan will help those of you who are finding it difficult to invent, create, and innovate during these difficult times…
TIPS TO COPE AS YOU ARE “CREATING THROUGH COVID19”:
1. KEEP A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE:
If you have a desire to create, innovate, or follow a dream you have always wanted to realize, it is important to think positive thoughts and concentrate on your goal. If you have a dream to invent a product, write a book, get your doctorate or anything you feel is possible…start today with your action plan! For me I kept thinking of the excitement I would feel having my books go up on my website, Amazon, and on the shelves of all bookstores. I found enthusiasm in wanting everyone to read them and get inspired. I focused on my goal and ways of getting there!
2. FOCUS ON THE GOAL AND MAKE IT REAL
No matter what… do not take the focus off your desire. Whatever you are thinking of accomplishing, make it real. Write it down or draw it and keep looking at it. Remember what Walt Disney said, “If You Can Dream It…You Can Achieve It”. I found writing goals for myself the night before and making sure I met them the next day motivated me and kept me focused.
3. DO ACTIVITIES THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY
It is vital to find relaxing activities that raise your spirits as you pursue your dream. Being quarantined I could not go out so I made my apartment as cozy, warm, and happy as possible. One of my favorite things to do is dance so I put my holiday lights on and danced every day. I love the smell of cinnamon and apple pie as it reminds me of the holidays so every day I lighted my scented candles which brought a sense of joy and calm to me as well.
4. A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS
As a single woman I knew I needed to have my loving friends around me to help make me feel connected and loved. Not being able to visit them I did the next best thing. I set up a “Zoom” party for my girlfriends that I have been friends with since I was eight years old. We talked about growing up and the funny experiences we had in our old neighborhood. This virtual reunion helped me feel I was still a part of their lives and they were a part of mine. I also made it a point to speak to my friends and business colleagues on a daily basis to eliminate the isolation of being quarantined and bound to my home.
I hope these tips will also help you through this difficult Covid19 outbreak. As challenging as this period of time in our lives is… it can still provide an opportunity to focus on pursuing your dreams. Most of us have more free time now being in quarantine than we will ever have. So why not “Create Through Covid19” and begin the path to your dream. For those who have already begun their dream project and have put it aside due to Covid19, start your own “plan of action” and vow not to let anything get in your way!
I am giving everyone a free gift: a copy of my new book ‘Bringing Your Idea to Industry”. My hope is it will educate, inspire, and encourage you on your own creative journey to their dream. I hope in reading my book it will bring a smile to your face and be a symbol that if I can achieve my dream through Covid19 so can you!
HERE IS A LINK TO RECEIVE YOUR DIGITAL COPY OF “BRINGING YOUR IDEA TO INDUSTRY”
https://www.inventingtowin.com/inventingtowin-quick-tip-series/