For many advancement professionals, the work to be done during the time of COVID-19 (coronavirus) means more meetings and longer hours, as there are many challenges that need solutions. 

Working hard is a given, but working mindfully can take some effort.  

“Just because the world is changing rapidly around you does not mean that you should lose your cool,” Karlyn Borysenko says in Forbes. “In times like this, it’s even more important to be mindful of how you are contributing to your experience.” 

Borysenko lays out five seemingly simple ways to be more conscientious, because, she says, "it's the simple things that make the most difference."

Stay calm 

“Panic rarely does anyone any good in crisis situations because it directs all of your energy towards survival,” Borysenko explains. “That means you will lose the ability to look around you at what is happening and address it from a detached, clear-headed perspective.” 

One of the best ways to stay calm is to concentrate on your breathing. 

Focus on your purpose 

Having a job in advancement means you can impact people positively every day and it’s important to focus on that fact. 

“Having a clear purpose that you can focus on your energy and attention on has been shown to help in times of stress by reducing negative emotions like nervousness, hopelessness, loneliness, irritability, and general daily stress,” Borysenko says. 

A way to help your focus is to have your goals literally in sight on a sticky note or notepad near your workspace. 

Stick to a routine 

Living through a global pandemic is anything but routine, but it doesn’t mean your day-to-day life has to be as chaotic as the world outside it. 

It can be as simple as getting dressed, keeping a dedicated workspace, and having regular work hours. 

Be kind 

A little bit of kindness can go a long way in stressful situations.  

“Stress can make us behave in ways that are less than ideal, but it is rarely with harmful intent in mind,” Borysenko says. “If there was ever a time to go out of your way with a kind word or two, or to respond to anger or frustration with love and support, it’s now.” 

Some ways to show kindness include checking in on a co-worker during the day to show you are thinking about them or creating a virtual chatroom that employees can share funny pictures or videos of their children or pets. 

Practice gratitude 

One way to practice gratitude is to take some time at the end of every day to write down one thing for which you are grateful.  

“When you take the time to write it down, you’re consciously focusing your energy and attention on the good, rather than letting your brain default to things that might be more scary or stressful,” Borysenko explains.