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One of the toughest things about the coronavirus pandemic is the huge adjustment we’ve all had to make in our personal and professional lives. Lots of people have lost their jobs, and the majority of those that didn’t had to adjust to working from home. In fact, 64% of U.S. employees are working from home now.
While working from home does have many perks, many of us are missing out on the stimulation our offices provided. So why not utilize your former commute time to invest in yourself? Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Take Online Courses
Even if you can’t spend a lot of time outside of your home, you still have the world of information underneath your fingertips when you go online. There are plenty of online courses you can take for personal and professional development. Some programs will even allow you to earn certifications and credits. For example, Coderbyte helps web developers prep for interviews and offers starter courses for those just entering the field.
2. Learn a New Language
There are plenty of ways in which you can master another language during the pandemic. You can take online courses; watch YouTube videos; immerse yourself in foreign movies, TV shows, and books; or you can have one-on-one lessons with a private tutor via Skype or another platform. You can pick a language that might benefit your job, or you can learn the language of a country you would like to visit once things return to normal.
3. Start a Blog
Starting a blog will not only help you develop writing skills, but it can also help you establish yourself as an authoritative resource if you are an expert on a particular subject. This not only looks good on your resume, but it can also grow into a profitable career.
4. Read Books
Even if you don’t feel like reading the classics, reading a book will engage your brain in a much different way than movies or TV shows. This is because it’s a more active process, since your brain is working harder to create images or understand different concepts. Plus, it’s just about the safest and cheapest way to experience different places and cultures.
Recommended reading: 8 Self-Empowerment Books to Help You Take Back 2020
5. Watch Documentaries
While right now is definitely the time to binge on your favorite TV shows, you should also aim to watch more educational content. There are plenty of free, high-quality documentaries online, as well as education channels on YouTube that can help you pick new skills or deepen your knowledge.
6. Adopt Healthy Habits
Having a less active lifestyle means you should adopt more healthy habits. This can include getting more exercise, drinking more water, cutting down on sugar and junk food, as well as developing a better morning routine. You will not only feel better, but you will also be more motivated and productive.
7. Create Something
One of the downsides of most modern professions is that you are too detached from the final product, or the product itself is too abstract. To experience the satisfaction of creating something from start to finish, you can make use of numerous DIY tutorials and instructions that are available online.
8. Network with Other People
Networking is one of the best ways to grow your professional network while also increasing your ability to make new connections with people more easily. Once you have a few connections, you can start learning from them by picking their brain and collaborating on projects together. Building your contacts list and sharing your knowledge will definitely help you advance your career. There are even a few creative ways you can network online during the pandemic.
9. Listen to Podcasts
The best thing about podcasts is that you can listen to them while doing something else. Find ones you can have on in the background, but also seek out ones you will gain insight and knowledge from. Audiobooks also work well for this.
Recommended podcasts: 6 Podcasts for Side Hustlers & Entrepreneurs
10. Beef Up Your Resume
We usually forget about this one until we come across an exciting job opportunity, which is why you should not only take the time to update your resume, but your LinkedIn profile as well. Also, clean up your social media profiles, especially if they are public.
Although you should definitely take some time for yourself and just do nothing, after a while, it would be good to make use of it in a more meaningful way. We hope that these tips will help you do just that.
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