The pandemic, which has been a constant, unwanted companion since 2020, has slowly worked its way into every aspect of our lives. Now, as we close out the year with holiday parties, gift-giving and merry-making, some of us may be doing the research to better prepare ourselves for a fruitful 2023.
It’s no secret that women have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. But, what may be a surprise is how narrow the window of opportunity is now that we have acclimated to this ever-evolving new normal. Research shows that women have faced a far greater job loss as a whole than men. A term commonly referred to as the shecession.
“According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women are exiting the labor market at four times the rate of men. No matter how resilient or strong they are, women – and particularly women of color – are feeling the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic due to systemic inequalities and stereotypes such as a women’s role in society as the homemaker or the caregiver.” – Dr. C. Nicole Mason.
But here’s the thing – when we make a plan, stick to it, work hard and take risks, we can turn the ship around. Instead of a shecession, 2023 can be the shecovery. Here are three simple rules for getting back into the driver’s seat and making the next 12 months your best yet.
Optimize Your Routine
Kids, meetings, basketball practice, working out, weeknight dinners … who has time for it all? The answer is, you do! Sometimes getting organized can be the difference between a never-ending series of nightmarish calamities or a strategic system of to-dos. When you have your week in check, you can better strategize and plan for your next move. If that means allotting a few extra hours a week early in the morning to review finances for saving and planning, saving time before bed to job hunt for a career path that brings you fulfillment, or developing action steps in your current job to level up and go after that promotion.
Strategy, just as in poker, is fundamental to winning and success. Know your cards, understand what you’re up against, and stick to your instinct. A great rule for the table and life.
Accept Rejection and Move On
When you’re trying something new, more often than not, you’re going to fail, people will tell you no, and that weight can feel heavy. A saying heard at many poker tournaments, especially in conversations with players who didn’t win that last tournament, is “on to the next one.” On to the next one, and its positive-vibe, hashtag-friendly acronym OTTNO, is defined as “expressing a sense of resilience or aspiration for continued success.”It doesn’t mean the tournament they lost didn’t matter. What it does say is that they won’t dwell on the disappointment of the loss, but move on, reflect on errors and potential improvements, brush up on some poker skills, and try those new strategies in the next tournament or your next venture.
Like life, poker is a game of wins and losses. To win some, you have to lose some, those odds translate to the table and beyond. The skill part of this process is to understand how to see the bigger picture, assess the good and the bad, and move on to the next game. Accept the loss, learn from it, and take the next opportunity to turn things around.
Make Time to Recharge
You can do the hard work, and you should but you should also be mindful of your internal battery. If we’re burnt out, frazzled and tired we can’t do our best work for ourselves or others. Taking adequate time to rest will serve you better in the short and long term. Going after lofty goals and chasing that next opportunity takes drive, stamina, patience, and resilience; you’ll need all the energy you can get. Set an alarm to unplug from technology 30 minutes before bed, or set a reminder to do some deep thinking or meditation before errands or boardroom presentation. However you choose to recharge, just ensure you’re doing it often – your best self is rested and ready to take on the day – whatever it may bring.
If you’re ready to take on your year with confidence and gain skills you didn’t even know you needed, we’ll show you how in a safe-to-play community of like-minded women who are ready to teach and support you. Learn how to play poker today.
