Who had a once in a 100 year pandemic in mind when putting together their 5-year plan? …Right. Our current reality has put many of us on pause in more ways than one. So I ask: Is your passion pandemic proof? I’m talking about more than just an entrepreneurial hustle. I also mean the hobby that you invest in, your career path, your connection to the cause that fuels you to get up in the morning. Think about the thing that brings you joy that you invest your whole self in. Has the current situation presented a block from still being able to access your investment in this joy? To ask the “pandemic proof” question another way, can your passion withstand the test of time? As a follow up: What are you doing now to make sure that it does?
For me, this has made me think long and hard about my career trajectory. It’s easy to say that I should aim for a field that will always be deemed “essential”, like healthcare or food service. But going one step further, I pushed myself to consider how to make the path I choose adaptable to a time like this.
Adaptable = Pandemic Proof.
(For the most part)
Consider: Yes, gyms are closed, but I’m sure those workout videos on YouTube have seen a spike in views since we’ve all been summoned inside. If you’re a physical trainer, that could be your workout video going viral. You could aquire more followers to potentially become future clients. Your new engagement on your virtual platforms could make way for you to secure a partnership with a fitness brand.
What can I do to pandemic proof my passion?
The Internet is Your Friend.
It’s no secret that the internet is an important way for people to be able to reach more people in this decade. The worldwide web is also at the heart of interpersonal connectivity at this time. Maybe you’re a context expert who likes to give talks and have interaction with audiences in person. Knowing how to work Facebook live or IG video can have you still able to connect with those who want to interact with. Even book clubs have gone virtual. Boom, pandemic proof passion.
We can save the conversation around equity issues with being able to participate in virtual environments for another post. Or, you can sound off about that in the comments below. But trust me, I’m there as well. I’m on team #giveeverybodyinternetandtech.
Get Your Tech Up.
If your passion is a business venture, allow people to view an organized catalog of what you offer. Have a place to direct people to view what you do. You can start with a free website. Picture heavy content is also great for an Instagram page. (Also free). Take videos, show those pictures. Maybe it’s time you invest in a better camera to showcase your products online. If you have an existing website, go ahead and make sure you work on any kinks and that you provide a user-friendly experience. Make sure your stuff is tight.
Places to consider web hosting for your site:
Have A Social Media Presence.
Social Media is the quickest way for people to get to know you and what you do. It allows you to have somewhere to send people and to be discovered. Trust me, whatever your passion is, you are not the only one who craves that thing. Also, with all of us stuck inside, think about all the scrolling that’s going on right now. Make sure you put that passion of yours on people’s feeds.
There are communities of folx online that you can connect with about what you love. Twitter was my favorite at one time for connecting with the academics who use 5 syllable words on the internet. Having that community supported me through some rough grad school experiences. Most of all, let me know that I was not alone in anything I was experiencing.
Further Your Expertise.
Learn more about that thing you love, that community you support, how to run the business you’re carrying on your back. There are so many places online to learn something new or become an expert in something you’ve already invested yourself in.
Here are some places you can start:
- EdX: Access 2000 online courses from 140 institutions worldwide. Learn computer programming, data science, business and management, humanities, language, and more. Check it out! You can also pay a fee to earn certificates in the content areas. Click here to get 5% off all orders.
- LinkedIn Learning: Learn business, creative, and technology skills to achieve your personal and professional goals. Includes courses on everything from Leadership & Management to Cybersecurity or, Job Interview Prep. If you’d like to get started by sampling what they have to offer, start a 30-day free trial.
- Udemy: an online learning platform featuring 130,000+ video courses taught by expert instructors. Take courses in anything from programming languages like Python, and Java to personal development classes like design, drawing, writing, and yoga. Take advantage of their new customer offer: – Top Courses from $10.99 when You First Visit Udemy.
- Alibris: Buy new and used books, textbooks, music, and movies. Get $3 off your purchase.
This time of pause has mean many different things for all of us. While it’s not necessary for us to spend this time trying to find a cure for all the world’s problems right now, we can consider how we will adapt our futures to a new reality.
Sound off below: How are you making sure your passion is pandemic proof?
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This was such a great post! So, I’m currently switching everything up. I’m about 3/4 through my Software Product Management certification. I’m pushing really hard to transition into the I.T. field. It’s my opinion that building technology is pandemic proof and there will never be a shortage of opportunities. Also my blog is my creative outlet. I love it. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love that! You got this!!
This is a great blog post. When the pandemic occurred it definitely made me think about how important is to have multiple streams of income. Many people rely on one source of income and they really hurt a lot of people during this time. It also made me realize to have different types of streams. So they way if one stream drys up I’ll still have another passive income
Absolutely. That’s something I’ve been thinking about as well. Especially as some of the people who still have jobs received massive pay cuts. Ive really been wanting to invest myself outside of just Plan A.
I love this post because it speaks to and answers questions that I was asking myself in the beginning of the pandemic. I also realized that what I thought was a passion was actually a distraction. And I really honed in on what I am passionate about: Writing and public speaking. So took a class to work on those things, and good thing is, those can easily be transferred to virtual experiences. Now working on the social media presence.
Thank you for this!
That is such an awesome tidbit! Thank you so much for sharing. And this really speaks to the heart of this post. There are many people out there with years of experience who get behind a video camera and fall apart. Or, don’t know how to engage a virtual audience. Good luck, you got this!!!