5 Survival Tips for Now and Post-COVID

By Olanrewaju Adeoke

Did you have plans for 2020 and in a bid to achieve it, COVID-19 came and you do not know what to do? Are you a student, an employer, employee with big goals in career, relationship, business? In this article, I show you 5 ways to cope with life after Covid-19.

The COVID-9 pandemic has caused increased anxieties over a lot of issues ranging from emotions to relationships, finances, job security, career, family responsibilities, business etc. It has seemed to be a period of reset, globally, in every aspect of life. The reset can be viewed as a positive one, from causing a worldwide revolution in businesses (like logistics, software development, android & iOS application creation, foodstuff delivery and production, website & graphic design, content & social media marketing), education, technology and so much more. In this era of revolution, the unemployment rate has spiked, domestic violence and insecurities have been on the high, and many puzzling questions have arisen in your mind and you wonder how you would cope with the implications of COVID-19 pandemic? What next? What else? Where to? If these are constant thoughts lingering in your mind, then this article is for you. We would discuss the 5 ways to cope post-COVID-19 pandemic in two categories: 
- Covid-19 Controversy and Implications
- How do I cope post-COVID?

Covid-19 Controversy and Implications
 Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a series of controversies. Some of the controversies include:
• Myth: Many people till date, do not consider the pandemic real. They believe it is media propaganda to fool the public.
• Control: People think that the government should have been more proactive in sealing airports and seaports earlier, to prevent the entry and spread of the virus in the country
• Sickness of the rich: The cases initially recorded were detected in high profile personalities, thus many people thought it affected only the rich.

Irrespective of these controversies, there has been inflation in the prices of foodstuff; the cost of transportation is higher; the price of crude oil per barrel keeps plunging; major sports activities have been cancelled, and the economy has been grossly affected. COVID-19 implications are seen in human life – physically, emotionally and economically etc.

Physically: Many meetings and social events have changed modalities due to the social distancing rules. Most meetings and events are virtual.

Emotionally: The lockdown created opportunities for families to spend more time with one another, and these have been met with both positive and negative feedbacks. With the pandemic, there had been increased risk of domestic violence in many homes.

Economically: The pandemic has had crushing effects on the economy. Business activities of all sorts have been impacted negatively due to restricted movements and/or partial lockdown. On another side of the coin, the pandemic has enabled many businesses to pivot as they engaged in critical thinking, strategic planning and decision-making.

How do I cope Post-Covid?

The pandemic has created the need for people to have back-up plans irrespective of what they earn, their positions etc. Education is a top priority and it goes beyond the school walls, as education would help you to make wise choices and decisions. A few tips on how to fast overcome the impacts of the pandemic include:

i) Live within your means: It is important now more than ever that you live within your means. A good rule of thumb states that you must live on at least 15% less than the amount you earn. How is this possible?

• Draft a plan for your money: Before payday/salary or before buying anything, be sure to have a plan that comprises your needs rather than wants. You could simply follow the 50/30/20 budget rule which helps you divide your salary into the proportions of needs, wants, savings and debt repayment. This plan would help you review “how and what” you should spend your money on, help you grow your net worth and improve your financial habits.
• Save before you spend: the key to financial freedom is saving, it would help prevent financial disasters that could ensue.
• Cut your coat according to your cloth: Irrespective of your position, try to live within your means. Reduce unnecessary expenses like eating out frequently, subscribing to unnecessary cable networks or excessive data subscription.
• Avoid loans with huge interest rates: There are a lot of financial institutions wanting to give out quick loans with high interest rates. Keep off!

ii) Become Valuable: One of the Albert Einstein quotes says, “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value”. You must learn to work on yourself than you do on your job. If you work hard on your job, you make a living, but if you work hard on yourself, you’ll make a fortune. Become better at everything by being intentional about growth.

iii) Get High-Income Skills: These are abilities to carry out tasks within a stipulated period with remarkable results. There are a lot of high-income skills varying from Information Technology, content creation etc. These skills were discussed in a previous article. Examples include: graphics design, photography, cinematography, copywriting, digital marketing etc.

iv) Display Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand or feel what another person is experiencing (placing oneself in another’s position). The definitions of empathy cover a scope of emotional states which are, caring for other people, having a desire to help them, discerning what another person is thinking or feeling. It is widely perceived as being tenderhearted towards others. Empathy enables emotional intelligence, which is a necessary skill to thrive in human relationships.

v) Self-Development: It is a lifelong process for you to amass skills and qualities to reach your personal goals and maximize potentials. It covers activities that improve awareness and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital, facilitate employability, enhance the quality of life, and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations. Before now, you may have taken self-development with levity, but it is high time you took it seriously because your updated skills are needed in the job market. You are required to be in continuous and lifelong learning. Do commit to this.

Which of the aforementioned tips resonates with you? Which is important to you? Which will you put into practice? If you found this article insightful, do share across board. While we keep living life despite COVID-19, stay safe, stay sane. Stay productive.