How are you?
It’s a question that means so much more this week as our world has changed so fast and when I ask you that I genuinely mean it.
How are you mentally, physically, emotionally, financially…?
The list is endless and I cannot promise to help you solve all of those but I can offer more suggestions gleaned from long experience.
You see, we’re used to self-isolating and working entirely online in this household because I’ve had to do it not only professionally but from necessity as my daughter was very ill for many years.
Some of that time was spent nursing her at home and some going backwards and forwards to hospitals. All of it taught me some excellent coping skills and strategies and I would like to pass those on to you as I think they will help.
I’ll also pass on personal experience of this virus as I have just recovered from it after 7 days of self-isolation.
I won’t go into the symptoms as I know they differ from person to person but the one that is universal is the overwhelming fatigue. I have been completely exhausted and only finally got to see sunlight again today.,
So I totally understand if you, too, are exhausted with this illness or with all it brings – fear, anxiety, overwhelm…
It is tough. But it is not impossible to get through and there is plenty of good that can come from this.
Already I have been involved with helping people get online who normally work offline so they can continue to earn and I am going to share what I shared with them for you here as these are vital skills for us all.
You can not only use these to boost your own income streams but also help others do the same. So please share the love – pass on these tips to anyone who needs them and there will be more in the coming days.
Let’s start with ways to connect with people you might normally meet, deal with or teach offline. Only this week (yes, while ill!) I have taught my Pilates and yoga teachers plus a therapist friend how to get set up so they can continue their practices.
I also have had to set up meetings I would normally conduct face to face and for all these I have used varied solutions depending on what is required.
First let’s look at Zoom which is meeting/webinar software and therefore excellent for both teaching something that requires you to see others and for them to see you.
For digital marketers it’s a wonderful way to reach and connect with your tribe as well as to teach, conduct engaging trainings and share information.
You can download it to your PC, iPad or other device and for most of your needs it will cost you absolutely nada.
You can download Zoom and find out more here:
Zoom have also come up with an excellent resource centre in response to COVID-19 which is full of helpful tutorials and documents as well as upcoming webinars so you can use it most effectively:
https://zoom.us/docs/en-us/covid19.html
Google Hangouts are another option and you can have up to 150 people on a meeting – learn how to set up and use them here:
https://www.techradar.com/uk/how-to/how-to-use-google-hangouts
WhatsApp is another great option as it is so widely used and you can use it on both desktop and mobile.
As well as calling on WhatsApp and using it for group chats you can use it for group video calls. Find out how here:
https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/mobile-phone/video-call-whatsapp-3635973/
Something I have been sharing with teachers and coaches of all kinds is this page which was originally set up for musicians, producers and performers by fellow musicians but contains great tips and links for many people:
For more tools and resources to help you through this (65 in fact) go here:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/347840
Now some stuff to feed your heart and soul – the world’s best galleries and museums online with loads to see and do from the comfort of your own home:
https://artsandculture.google.com/
And for amazing sites and iconic locations around the world you can explore in 3D go here:
https://artsandculture.google.com/project/openheritage
Your TED talk this week is on where joy hides and how to find it as I think we could all do with that right now:
