For anyone who has been in a slump in 2020, Dr. Suess says it perfectly:
When you’re in a Slump,
You’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
Is not easily done.
That’s right, if you’ve been in a slump during 2020, Dr. Suess tells us that un-slumping ourselves is not easily done.
That’s tough love. But what I love about the phrase “unslumping yourself” is that it puts the onus on you. No one but you can pull yourself out of a slump.
The good news is that you’ve done it before. You’ll be able to do it again.
On Waiting
Of all of the ways to describe 2020, it has certainly been a year of waiting.
Waiting for COVID to be over. Waiting for news of the vaccine. Waiting for the election to be over. Waiting for a new President to start. Waiting to be able to send the kids back to school. Waiting to be able to return to the office. Waiting to be able to travel. Waiting to see friends and family. The list of all the things we have been waiting for could go on and on.
Here is how Dr. Suess describes “The Waiting Place:”
Waiting for a train to go
Or a bus to come, or a plane to go
Or the mail to come, or the rain to go
Or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
Or waiting around for a Yes or No
Or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bike or waiting for wind to fly a kit
Or waiting around for Friday night
Or waiting, perhaps for their Uncle Jacke
Or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
Or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
Or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.”
NO!
That is not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape
All that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places
Where Boom Bands are playing.
That’s right, Dr. Suess tells us that this place of waiting is not for us. (Thank goodness.) Somehow we will all escape and find bright places again.
On Navigating Life
Beyond offering a glimmer of hope, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” provides great advice on navigating life:
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
And remember that LIfe’s
A Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
Of all years, 2020 has certainly required us to be sure when (and where) we step. More than ever, we have needed to be dexterous and deft.
How to Be Dextrous and Deft
So, how can we be dexterous and deft right now?
Rather than staying stuck in a slump or hanging around in the waiting place, waiting for COVID to end so we can get on with our lives, we can take the time to plan.
Now is the time to plan. Now is the time to find the bright places (where boom bands are playing!).
What if you used this time to focus on preparing instead of focusing on waiting?
What do you want to prepare for? What will be different for you when COVID is over? And how can you prepare for that now?
- Will you take a trip? What do you need to do now to prepare for that adventure?
- Will you sell your house and move? What stuff can you get rid of now so that you have less later?
- Will you be outside socializing with your friends everyday? How can you continue to build those relationships?
Now is the time to plan. Think about what you want to focus on in 2021. If you need help figuring that out, check out one of these frameworks to help you analyze your life. Or, if you are focused just on your finances, consider these metrics to analyze your finances.
Now is the time.
Remember:
You’re Off to Great Places!
Today is Your Day!
Your mountain is waiting
So get on your way!
