(Part 4 of “Life After Redundancy”)

Well, would you look at that. It’s Monday again. Cue the slew of positivity memes that will litter the interwebs, encouraging you to make the most of Monday. That said, my favourite post was by the daughter of a friend of my husband, Leonie Gough at the Bravery Collective (Leonie’s Facebook post). I will leave you to read that one for yourself. It is well worth the effort of a couple of clicks.

Life after redundancy and specifically, the skills of planning and prioritisation. I have been trying to emphasise the skills which one might use day to day, skills learnt through one’s working life, which can still be used so that you don’t unwittingly deskill oneself whilst pondering the iniquities of being made redundant. Mark my words. My last working day with my previous employer was 18 May 2018. Next week will mark two months. And no job yet, people will ask?

The ‘blues’ will start to creep in. What if I can’t find another job? What if money starts to become tight? How will the family manage? Very real questions and very real concerns. And woo hoo, one finds oneself jumping into that black hole, falling down the spiral into the pit of despair.

Focus instead on what you have. Ensure that one remains marketable. Ensure that a potential employer doesn’t see a ‘No Hope’ candidate, but rather a gift, because let’s face it, you can ensure that they fill their vacancy immediately. If necessary, you can start the next day. No other candidate is likely to be able to offer that.

Planning and prioritisation. I was thinking about this as I was writing up my planner.

I know I used this picture last week, but I do rather like the ‘Grumpy Panda’ sticker set from “Little Thoughts” on Etsy (Little Thoughts Store weblink). Put everything down that you need to complete. But those items down under the day you intend to do them, and also make a note of the absolutely last day before s**t hits the fan (SHTF day). Then start prioritising. Clearly the tasks that have their SHTF day imminently must be moved to the top of your list. Equally important, one does not list all the things you like doing over those your must do. If anything, all the MUST DO tasks go to the top of the list.

Then, ensure that you don’t have more than five tasks per day. Some of those tasks can take a while, and there is no point in making an unachievable list. After the five tasks, but in something fun. In my case, that would be doing some research reading for future book ideas or doing some baking. Then back to the list. That way, your list is broken down into manageable blocks and you have the hopeful feeling that you might actually manage to clear your inbox by Friday.

List written. Take five minutes to close your eyes and breathe. Deep breaths from the diaphragm: draw in for a slow count of five, hold for five and release through the mouth over a count of five.

Once you are relaxed, it is time to hit that damn list, because you know that after you cleared the five tasks, or three if you don’t start until Monday afternoon, you have some fun planned. Let that thought give you something good to anticipate.

But … but, shouldn’t you be clearing more of the To Do list if you have time?

The priority here is to ensure that by permitting yourself to relax, you are demonstrating to yourself that you are still sharp. You do still have what it takes. More importantly, you are not a washed-up has-been. You have skills. In keeping an eye on prioritisation, you are also maintaining a key workplace skill. The right job for you is out there.

Lest I forget, this blog should have something to do with the art of writing. So this is it. Research is not playing hooky from ‘more important’ matters. To write accurately and credibly, one needs a refreshed mind. That’s is where researching for the next book enters the equation. Research is fun. All sort of new ideas might pop up. Another factor is exercise. You are a writer, you have your nose down, typing frantically, or writing equally frantically. You don’t have TIME to stop and take a break. This bestseller-to-be must be finished.

Nah! Yes, it must be finished, but STOP! Sit up in your chair. Straighten your back. Turn your head slowly, left to right with a pause in the centre. Extend your arms either side and rotate your wrists. Then do the same with your ankles. Stretch your legs. Feel the muscles contract and relax. Breathe in a conscious manner.

And then, you may begin your next session of writing. Chances are, your mind will be clearer, and your flow will improve.

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RELEVANT LINKS FOR JO PILSWORTH
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JKPilsworth

Paranormal may not be your thing. Urban fantasy may not either. But who knows? I may be one of your friends new favourite author.
Inspired by #Legends an #UrbanFantasy series. 

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Medved: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C19QKPH

AMAZON LINKS

Alpha (US link): https://t.co/IRZLR92AFu
Beta: https://t.co/DGDDI03VB9
Merysekhmet (US link): https://t.co/fFOUm5MHUs
Toho: (US link): https://t.co/oKtbDgrqiHhttps://t.co/mGMuJWd6Xd
Medved: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C19QKPH