Stuck at Home? Here’s How to Fill Your Sails

Ever seen the movie Groundhog Day?

In the film, Bill Murray plays Phil Connors, a cynical weatherman sent to Punxsutawney, PA to cover the annual Groundhog Day festival in Gobbler’s Knob. He gets stuck in a time loop, inexplicably reliving that same day over and over again. And again. And again.

Connors is driven to distraction until he sees a way of using his predicament to his advantage. Each day, he improves his actions, reactions and activities to make the most of every Groundhog Day – and eventually breaks his curse and “gets the girl.”

In many ways, being stuck at home right now can leave you feeling a lot like Phil Connors: frustrated, bored and even a little hopeless. But if you take a page from his book, you can use the situation to your advantage. While your circumstances may be exasperating, they also provide fantastic opportunities to improve yourself, your career prospects, your relationships and more.

Instead of climbing the walls, try these productive ideas to make the most of every “Groundhog Day”:

Tips for Daily #stayhome Success:

Spruce up your resume.
Whether you want to find a new job or simply prep yourself for taking the next step in your career, updating your resume is essential. Use the tips we share in this post to get your resume in great shape.
Build your personal brand.
Spend some time reviewing the way you “market” yourself professionally. In this post, we share tips for creating a personal branding statement to position yourself as the ideal candidate in a potential employer’s mind.
Update your personal social media profiles.
Once you refine your personal branding statement, make sure your message is consistent across your digital footprint. Upload a new professional photo. Update your portfolio examples and work experience. Revisit your privacy settings. Make sure everything a recruiter can learn about you on social media presents you in the best possible light.
Grow your professional network.
If you work in, or have your sights set on, a professional occupation, LinkedIn is an essential networking tool. Build a daily habit of connecting with a handful of people who could benefit your career (tip: LinkedIn offers a free Premium account trial to help you make the most of their platform).
Read a book that promotes self-growth.
Whether it’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Think and Grow Rich, or a book that teaches you how to stress less, use your extra hours to read something that helps you improve one or more aspects of your life.
Start a blog.
Blogging is a fulfilling writing experience offering myriad personal and professional benefits – and now is a great time to start. Choose a topic you’re passionate about. Find a platform that suits you (WordPress and Wix have free options). Watch a tutorial or two on YouTube. Then get writing!
Begin journaling.
Journaling is about more than documenting events; it helps you process your emotions, prioritize your problems and hopes, and even improve your mood. Whether you choose pen and ink or a digital version, start a daily habit of writing for 15 minutes.
Prune your social feeds.
Tired of all the bad news you’re seeing on social media? Scrutinize the people, news sources, entertainment sites and brands you follow. Unfollow accounts that bring you down, and proactively search for more inspiring, positive content to pull into your feeds.
Take an online course.
Coronavirus may be temporarily limiting your freedom to travel, but it can’t take away your freedom to learn – and make yourself more marketable. Sites like Udemy, Coursera and MasterClass offer free and low-cost online learning courses on everything from web development to Mandarin to business technology to understanding the stock market.
Challenge yourself with brain puzzles.
Think of your brain like a muscle: It needs regular exercise, too! Research proves that neuroplasticity games and apps can improve memory, cognitive function and even creativity. Find a game, an app or a puzzle book that captures your attention, and get noodling.
Work out.
Speaking of muscles, practicing social distancing is no excuse for growing a spare tire. And exercising regularly is essential to maintaining both your physical and mental health (especially right now, when routines are disrupted and gyms are closed). Take a walk. Download that fitness app you’ve been wanting to try. Dance in your living room. In other words, get moving! Just be sure to choose activities that are right for your health and fitness level (consult with your doctor if you’re unsure).
Set a daily schedule.
While it’s a great feeling to not set an alarm or be restricted by a busy schedule, lack of structure in your day can drain your motivation – and lead to a ton of wasted hours. Build a reasonable schedule that includes a variety of activities (both personal and professional) so you end each day feeling like you’ve really accomplished something.
Schedule facetime.
Right now, you may miss getting together with your family, friends, coworkers or other social or professional groups. But thanks to technology like Skype, Zoom and FaceTime, you can meet virtually – which is great for maintaining important relationships. If you’re feeling disconnected, schedule one-on-one or group meetings with people who matter most to your personal and professional well-being.
Manage your stress.
Being cooped up, socially isolated and out of work takes a mental toll on even the most stalwart individual. Beat stress to the punch by seeking out tools and outlets to manage it effectively. Whether you use an app like Headspace, or practice mindfulness techniques on your own, regularly engage in an activity that helps you relax, unwind and press your mental reset button.

Need a job?

Don’t stress; PrideStaff‘s team of employment experts can energize your job search:

improve your interviewing skills and confidence;
broaden your experience with a variety of temporary assignments;
put you to work quickly.

Contact the PrideStaff office in your area to find out more about great local job opportunities.