Planning for Your Post-Pandemic Life

Travel into the future with me for just a moment…

It’s a warm summer evening and you’re laughing and making memories with the people you care about the most in person.

It's safe to finally give them that big hug you’ve needed for months!

Without a doubt, brighter days will return again.

In fact, it’s absolutely possible to emerge on the other side of this pandemic a happier, healthier person.

Today I’ll tell you how to do it, using my personal Three-Step Blueprint for Productive Planning.

“Investing” your second greatest asset

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, you may have found that you have some extra time on your hands.

Personally, I’ve gotten two hours of daily commuting time back, plus all of my speaking engagements and concerts through the springtime have been canceled or postponed —cumulatively freeing up weeks’ worth of time.

While I’m not happy to lose a large portion of my income, I know that money isn’t my greatest asset.

After all that I’ve been through over the past few years, I’m most grateful for my health.

That, and quality time.

And lately, I’ve realized how much my top two assets work in tandem.

The time I invest into my health each day makes it more likely that I get to experience many more of those “brighter days.”

And with all of the extra time I have right now, I recognize an incredible opportunity to invest heavily into my health for two major reasons:

1. It can help protect me right now
2. It will benefit me much later in life

So this morning, I crafted a plan to help me make the most of this time. And I hope it can help you, too.

Your Three-Step Plan for Productive Planning 

Though this plan is tailored to my individual needs, I’m sharing it as an example. Feel free to customize to help you achieve your own personal goals.

STEP 1: Identify your aspirations.

I started by reflecting on the things I’d most like to change, keep, or modify in my life after the pandemic.

On the “other side” of the pandemic, I want to have:

• Connected with my family and my spirituality on a deeper level.
• Improved my cardio and strength by at least 20 percent.
• Created a few high-value and transformational videos, e-letters, podcasts, and music.
• Polished my musical proficiency, learning more theory about the instruments I play.

STEP 2: Map out an action plan.

To achieve these goals, I outlined an overarching plan of action for my daily life.

I can “chip away” at these goals on a daily basis by:

• Aiming to be my “best self,” with my words and actions consistently demonstrating that I am focused, compassionate, patient, and loving.
• Showing up in a meaningful way for my health by committing time each day to exercise, meditation, sound exercises, etc. This will help to feed my spirit, body and mind.
• Carving out time each day to plan and execute the type of helpful content I want to create.
• Spending time with my instruments and making music with my kids.

STEP 3: Get specific.

In order to make your goals a reality, I think it’s helpful to get specific. Make a plan that’s tangible and easy-to-follow (and flexible when necessary).

I chose to section my daily “to-do list” out in 30-minute increments.

Each item is aligned with my aspirations (step one) and overarching action plan (step two).

My goal is to invest as much of this precious time as possible, rather than try to make it pass.

As you can see, I’m an early bird.

Mornings are when I’m my most creative, so I stack that time with things like writing this e-letter, video recording, and design.

And when I take my morning and evening walks, I maximize that time and not only get my daily exercise, but also work in sound healing exercises and breathing exercises.

I also built in time to account for the unexpected. In uncertain times, it’s important to be flexible.

I think of this this daily plan as more of “a guide.” I always allow myself to adjust as needed.

This exercise isn’t intended to make your life harder, or be something you beat yourself up about. It should be something you feel positive effects from, and help you make progress toward your goals.

So modify this plan in a way that works for you. After all, you know yourself best.

Constructing your blueprint

Are you ready to get started toward achieving your goals? Here’s how to get started:

1. Grab a pen and paper, create a new document on your computer.
2. Brainstorm a list of three to five goals for yourself.
   
   Fill in the blank of the following sentence:
   
   On the other side of this pandemic, I'm aiming to: __________________.
3. Then, brainstorm a list of three to five actions you can take to work toward achieving your goals.
   
   Fill in the blank of this sentence:
   
   Each morning/afternoon/evening, I will achieve this goal by: _________________.
   (Consider including daily sound healing exercises!)
4. Finally, plan out a 24-hour “to-do” list that includes these action steps.

Keep in mind, increasing your vitality won’t happen by accident. Its purposeful, and requires forethought and consistent effort.

But coming out of this unprecedented time even healthier than you are now doesn’t have to be hard! That’s why you’re making a plan and simplifying it down into bite-size steps.

Rest assured you’re not alone in this. I’ll be doing my plan every day right along with you.

And remember, brighter days are ahead. In fact, today may be that day.

P.S. Need some help? I encourage you to try my Donovan Sound Healing Circle completely risk-free. I offer guided tutorials and audio tools to help you solve some of life's most nagging problems including anxiety, poor sleep, brain fog, depression, and brain health.

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The material provided on this site is for educational purposes only and any recommendations are not intended to replace the advice of your physician. You are encouraged to seek advice from a competent medical professional regarding the applicability of any recommendations with regard to your symptoms or condition.

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