As states begin the process of allowing non-essential businesses to reopen, the question remains, “Are people ready to be social again?” If tomorrow you were allowed to go to your favorite restaurant, bar, cafe, clothing store, ect. and be surrounded by the public, would you? If you met someone new and they went to shake your hand, would you reciprocate? When I run an open house on my latest listing, is anyone showing up? Business open or not, we all need to be prepared for long, if not permanent changes to the way we conduct our lives.
The virus itself will not be “defeated” when we reopen. COVID-19 will be something that remains in our society like a bitter aftertaste, there to remind us of how 2020 began. It sounds almost ridiculous but, “sorry, I can’t come in to work for awhile because I have the coronavirus,” may be a real call. People will still get sick and some will die. We will simply adjust our expectations and deal with it.
Many who have worked from home during the shelter-in-place order will find it in their best interest to continue to do so. Virtual meetings, both social and professional, will continue to be much more commonplace. This means office space and restaurants that count on a lunch crowd, may see a sharp decline in their clientele. In real estate, there’s almost no reason to have an in person meeting until I either need to see the house you want to sell or one you may want to buy. Trust me, this means a lack of coffee being bought at cafes.
All of this may lead to less interactivity as a community, in a culture where we are coming apart at the seams already. Keeping close to friends and family will be more important than ever.
How to Turn the Tide
The only way out is the same way we got in, together. Necessary hardships were undertaken to save the lives of many. Now it will take even more effort to save everyone in yet another way. We need to form a united community again and we have that chance because we’re all facing a common enemy. We will stand together or we will be clamoring over each other for the scraps corporations and the administration tosses to us.
Shopping Small
We can’t fix the national economy by ourselves but we can certainly have a direct influence on our local market which will in turn have a larger impact. When we support lower and middle class establishments, we’re putting our money into businesses that will spend it with other local businesses as well. When small business thrives in your neighborhood, house values rise through desirability and wealth builds for everyone. On the opposite side, what would happen to Fishtown if Suraya, WM Mulherins Sons and Fetté Sau had to close?
Shopping small isn’t just about restaurants and cafés either. There are bakers, lawn care services, gyms, bars, ice cream shops, contractors, book stores, cleaning services and more. Small businesses usually have better customer service and a much deeper connection to the neighborhood that they are located in. When you support a small business, you’re supporting your friends and neighbors.
Stay Active – Fight Boredom
“… millions long for immortality who don’t know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon.” ― Susan Ertz
There are so many of us stuck at home right now that wish for more time to do the things we love. Keeping our minds active and taking time for self improvement will help us get going again when we’re released back into the world.
I struggle with the feeling of powerlessness. I’m used to being able to put my mind to a problem, work harder, power through… but there’s nothing I can do to speed the process up of getting back to work and out the house. Feeling helpless can be paralyzing. Boredom is the result of that paralysis and boredom is the enemy of motivation.
We all have the time to have a positive influence on ourselves. Have you ever wanted to learn Spanish? Read a book that you bought last year? Exercise more? Learn to cook? The fact is that we have been given the forced opportunity to better ourselves.
Stay Connected
Medical News Today says that Face to Face Contact is Like a Vaccine from an article published back in 2017. Staying connected with friends and family is powerful for our mental and physical well being. Staying social and having human interaction releases cortisol which actually reduces our stress level. Continuing to stay in contact with those that you’re close with, you’re also helping them reduce their stress as well. It’s a symbiotic relationship.
A very good friend of mine once told me they were in a group that was supposed to call the ones closest to them to ask for referral business. She was not in a sales position but the team was doing this as a group exercise. The response from her people was nearly the same. “What’s wrong? Are you ok? Did someone die?” If this is the response you think you would get if you picked up the phone and called people, then you don’t call enough… Hearing someone’s voice is a wholly different experience than reading their words. While we’re actually practicing physical distancing, the fact is that we have the chance to be socially closer. Don’t miss this opportunity.
Plan Your Post-COVID Reentry
There won’t be a switch that gets flipped and we reset ourselves to normal life. After possibly 2+ months of working from home and staying indoors, we’re off our routines. Adjusting back may be just as difficult as the way in.
For the first 2 weeks of working from home, I found myself falling way off my routine and schedule. I went to bed late, woke up ever later, I watched more TV, I read less, I did WAY less work related activity… In other words, I acted like a teenager living in their parent’s basement.
I realized that this wasn’t going to work for me and that going back to work again was going to be challenging. So I joined a support group of agents that call themselves the 6AMers. I’m up by 5:40am everyday and have a 6am check in with the group. This has helped me get back into an early routine so I don’t have a lag when I finally get back to the office.
Get a routine going and get accountability. Keep in touch with clients, call vendors to check in on them, make sure coworkers are doing alright and stay up to date with what’s happening in your industry. You’ll hit the ground running compared to most others who will be trying to shake off months of brain fog.
Thinking of selling your home? I’m passionate about helping sellers get the most for their house and hitting their goals!
I service Philadelphia and its surrounding counties such as Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Call/text me at 267-825-1192 or email me at chris@chrishvostal.com.
