Finding Your Rhythm

A Guest Contribution by Nathan Westfall

Original Illustration by Ken Torne

Life has always been in a state of constant flux; however, none of us could have anticipated the impact of the pandemic. People have been thrust from their typical routines into a mad scramble of readjustments and shuffling of priorities.

 Before COVID-19 threw the world a curveball, I had landed a job at a small-tier ER in a smaller suburb. For my first job out of college, it was perfect. It offered a flexible schedule with an appropriate amount of responsibility and enough autonomy to take ownership of the techniques for getting things done. Just as I felt I was beginning to hit my stride, everything changed.

The Day the World Hit Pause

 I had always wondered what it would be like if everything in the world stopped, like in one of those science-fiction films. What would be different? What would we observe at that moment?

 With my job now more an office administrator than in outside sales, I sat at my desk and looked out of my window during the shelter-in-place order. I can tell you the world didn't exactly stop, but it did give an opportunity for observation and introspection on the things we didn't know we took for granted.

 While stuck in my office, I found myself mindlessly scrolling social media during slow times of the day, watching enviously as friends play video games all day. I want to be clear that I am grateful to be working while so many battle a tragic job market, but there's part of me that struggles.

 I can't even begin to tell you how much I'd love to have a relaxing dinner for two at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. My lady and I eating dinner, drinking wine, and looking back at the memory of how crazy the last couple of months have been. But those moments are lost. At least for now.

 As I stared longingly at the world outside, it hit me. Sometimes hitting pause is an opportunity.

Pause in the Most Un-Literal Sense

 Things may have slowed, however, the world hasn't frozen in place. We, did, however, abandon many of the time vacuums that we once had. No more sitting through movie previews, waiting for a table at a restaurant, strolling through department stores, and shopping malls. Don't even get me started about how much I miss being able to go out and grab a drink after a long week. And driving! How many hours of my week were just spent in transit from one place to another, not to mention the positive environmental impact of less driving?

 I miss movies. I miss the restaurants. I miss the bars. We've all had to make adjustments.

 Perhaps my favorite meme of the apocalypse is one that read, "By the time we can leave our homes, we'll all be alcoholics or master chefs." Why not both? I'm an overachiever.

 All jokes aside, it seems to sum up the opportunity right in front of us.

All Things Move Forward

 Recent news reports are saying that there is no better time to buy a house than right now. Weird, right? But it's evidence that things are continuing to move forward, and there are a lot of opportunities if you look for it.

What about starting a business? Maybe you're furloughed. Or you see a giant spike in your free time. Remember that crazy idea you had? The one you just needed a few extra hours in the day to get the ball rolling on. To quote Jeff Foxworthy, "Here's your sign."

Existing Foundation

 The first thing to work on is yourself. An excuse many of us tell ourselves is that we can't because everything is closed down, however, some of the biggest businesses today started in the wake of an economic recession. Yes, it will be a struggle. But the same water that softens the potato boils the egg. Which will you choose to be?

 The foundation is in place. You have the internet. You have the time. You have the idea. But do you have the drive? No one can do it for you, but the time is now. You'll never have more opportunity than at the moment you are reading this right now.

Name your business. Go start your eCommerce website. Get some content online. Make music. Make movies. Write books. Create products. Offer services. You have a unique set of skills like no one else if you can figure out how to package them and market them right.

The time for excuses is pushing farther behind you. As a budding business owner, the time has never been more than perfect.

 Don't let the world tell you to hit pause. Take this extra time as a blessing and make something yours.