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Women in Focus

Article

How to thrive during social isolation

How to thrive during social isolation

22 April 2020

At the best of times, owning or running a small business is an ongoing challenge. During a global pandemic, the stress faced by Australian businesses is unprecedented. From rising unemployment rates, business closures and changes in government regulation, to focussing on innovating and adapting business models. Now is a time for a global pause where we need to look after ourselves as much as our businesses.

Mel Schilling, consulted to the corporate sector for 15 years, developing programs to help women lead and flourish.  She now balances her corporate work with her media profile and filming commitments. Best known as a reality TV psychologist on the Channel Nine series “Married at First Sight”, like many others, Mel is having to change her lifestyle and business and adapt to what she refers to as a “deflation in confidence around the world”. Right now, there is sense of overwhelm, but as she explores in the Corona Confidence video series, now is a time to be open in our conversations and remind ourselves, “this is not the new normal. This is temporary.”

Right now, changing business models and adapting at pace are top of mind, and we forget that mental and physical wellbeing are key contributors to running a successful business. In seven short videos, the Corona Confidence series explores overcoming changes to routine, how you can reconnect, regain that sense of community, and balance home and work life.

Mental wellness with practicing psychologist, Sandy Rea. Fitness with the founder of BUF Girls and Channel TEN “The Biggest Loser: Transformed” trainer, Libby Babet. Self Talk with social media influencer and motivational speaker, Charli Kate Adams. Social Media with digital presence expert, Danielle Di-Masi. Parenting with writer, Sarah Wainwright. Self Connection with actor, Carla Bonner. Health with acupuncturist, Dr Amanda Waaldyk (TCM)

Overcoming disruption with structure

The greatest challenge that people are experiencing right now is competing priorities. In Corona Confidence, Sarah Wainwright discusses how, for working parents especially, the chaos and noise of the home creates more stress, “we thrive and flourish with routine, and that’s being disrupted.” The external support that many parents rely on is no longer possible, and it is that sudden sense of overwhelm, coupled with a loss of workplace identity that is contributing to the crisis of confidence during social isolation.

Many adults do not give themselves time for ‘play’ and that is a major contributor to getting into a state of flow. Creative arts and playtime puts us in the moment, lifts mood, decreases anxiety and allows for the balance that many are craving right now. Back yourself, back your choices, and give yourself permission to take the time and breaks you need.

According to Libby Babet, founder of BUF Girls, the most important thing people need right now is structure and schedule. Having an “action cures fear” mentality and changing business models quickly, even when not perfect, was vital in keeping the community she has built afloat and maintaining routine operations of her business,  “we were calling on tech people, asking questions and making improvements as [we] go along.”

The series builds on advice to minimise disruption in a variety of ways, including:

  • Take a common sense approach to decision making, back your decisions, be realistic about your business and home-life capacity and avoid comparing with other businesses and parents.
  • Find what you can control and establish a routine around it. Block time out in your calendar to give yourself accountability.
  • Now more than ever, have confidence in your businesses unique point of difference and use that as a focus for new ways to reach your customers.
  • Personally, your body is a major energy shifter. Screen time is a hormone disruptor, so counteract screen time with “green time”, get up, move your body and allow endorphins (the feel good hormones) to thrive.

Using your voice

Starting her own business following the 2007 Global Financial Crisis (GFC), digital presence expert, Danielle Di-Masi realises that connecting with people is the most important part in creating confidence during times of crisis.

We face unpredictable times and the result of this is a shift in how and why we connect. Importantly, Danielle asks the same questions of herself that many businesses currently face, “is this a time for calm or is this a time for content?”

Everyone is different and, “maybe this isn’t the time that people want to focus on their business or curating their social media presence… when you appear digitally in someone’s life, do they want you there? And this is a really good time to ask that question.” Danielle says.

It comes down to who you are as a business, who you are to your community, whether you are adding value to the current conversation around health and support or if you are providing welcome content to distract or entertain. Throughout the Corona Confidence video series, we are asked to consider these options:

  • Reach out to customers, build conversations and provide them with the human interaction we are all craving right now. Social media is an ideal platform, but do not underestimate the value of a phone call.
  • Create your ‘evergreen’ content now – those articles and posts that will continue to be relevant long into the future.
  • Your online presence is not all about news. News fatigue is growing and your audience will want something fresh and entertaining. Consider starting Facebook lives, Instagram daily challenges, or try out TikTok for something completely new.

 

To watch the full series and learn more visit the Corona Confidence website.