You Fall Into At Least 1 of These 4 Categories: How to Cope with the Year Ahead

I’m an optimist but also a realist. As a working mom (University Instructor, Career Coach, and Marketing Consultant), I've come to terms with this new reality. It has been a tough pill to swallow but I don’t think our current reality changes much until late 2021 so I wanted to share a few thoughts on how to cope with the year ahead based on the questions I've been getting:

1. If you have a stable job, be grateful and overdeliver. Now is not the time to rock the boat. Many companies will be forced to eliminate positions in the coming months. Work to make sure yours is not one of them. Check in with your boss about your performance and anything you can do better. Be very open to constructive feedback.

2. If you're unemployed and looking for a new job, you better be uber-prepared because the competition is greater than it ever has been. You can make it happen but bring your absolute A-game to the job search and interview process. My blog and book have lots of advice on how to do this.

3. If you're a student, embrace it. It's a great time to be in school with how unstable the economy is. Yes, Zoom is a tough way to learn and tuition feels too high for what you’re getting, but make the most of it. Try to schedule 1-on-1 time with your teacher to build more of a relationship and turn them into an advocate for you. And even though internships are tough to come by, think about pitching people on free, remote project work to help build your resume.

4. If you're a working parent with kids at home, it's time to really think about what the next school year looks like and how you're going to cope. I see no way that kids are back in school this fall in most of the United States despite what many schools are currently saying. A secondary economy is quickly developing of trained teachers working as nannies. If this is something you can afford, I would consider it sooner rather than later. Supply vs. demand will become a problem and companies will be less lenient about working parents also caring for children while ‘working at home’. Care.com is a great resource for finding childcare options.

I’m not an economist, scientist, or doctor, but I am at the same intersection as most of you - trying to juggle sanity, work, family, and everything in between. We can do this. It just looks different than we ever imagined. I’m here if I can help you.