Jodie Ounsley: Lockdown can also be a once in a lifetime opportunity

Jodie Ounsley is a deaf professional athlete with England women’s 7s Rugby. 

We are going through some crazy times! I strongly recommend everyone follows government advice – Please stay safe.

Without diminishing the seriousness of the situation, I’m also viewing the next few months as an amazing opportunity.

A chance to grow, develop as a person, learn new skills and come out the other side a better version of yourself. It’s easy to get caught up with the busy pace of modern life and always find yourself ‘too busy’ to do the things you want or need for a happy, successful life.

Well this is that time! Use this period wisely it will pass before you know it, don’t look back at a wasted opportunity. Make plans and start today. It’s also a chance to spend quality time with family, they can be involved and help with a positive purpose.

It’s easy to get into negative habits, lack motivation and become unproductive – Grow positive habits and reap the rewards later.

To help me focus, I write things down. I use lists and notice boards as a constant reminder of what I am trying to achieve, they keep me on track.

1. Make a plan each day and write it down

Have a daily schedule with rough timings of what you want to do and when. Being a full time athlete and training at least twice a day, I mix my physical work with study / other work. This helps me to be productive and enthusiastic about the next ‘task’.

I plan ‘tomorrow’s” tasks the night before. It’s too easy to let the day drift if you wake up without a ‘plan’. At the end of each day, take a moment to appreciate all you have achieved today.

2. Have a weekly plan
Load this list up with tasks / ideas, aim high and stretch yourself to complete it all if possible!

Avoid picking just the easy or fun tasks. Uncompleted tasks can roll into the next weeks plan if necessary.

At the end of the week, take a moment to acknowledge all you have achieved. Seeing your success breeds a positive mindset and enthusiasm to  do more.

3. Larger projects / ideas for the next few months
Take on a bigger project(s) for next few months. Have something to show at the the end of this difficult time. Or at least started on a journey! Start sowing the seeds now for your future.

Business / job / study / opportunities / ideas:
Start emailing contacts, gathering information etc. Let people know what you want to achieve, planting these ideas now. Many businesses / employees are still working, but from home. They may have more time to respond to emails, hopefully waiting like coiled springs at their laptops for your ideas.

Reading : to learn, subjects that interest you, biographies, factual, history or just a fun read.

Learn BSL, a foreign language or new subject.

Yoga & Exercise!
This is an ideal time to focus on you, improve your health with a sensible exercise and diet plan.

Learn new skills:
The internet is bursting with ‘how to’ videos to do just about anything. The key is to try and filter your viewing to credible sources. Cooking, DIY, crafts etc

Maintain / renew relationships:
Whilst complying with social distancing you can Keep in contact with friends and reconnect with those you have little contact with. Set up new what’s App groups, video calls. Don’t allow yourself to become socially isolated. Make the effort to reach out to others, they will probably be glad you did.

Online courses:
These cover just about every subject you can think of.

Mediation / mindfulness training:
Helps you focus and keeps good mental health. There are lots of APPs  you can download for this. I use them every morning before training, it set me up for the day.

START NOW don’t waste this time, we may not get another ‘opportunity’ like this.

Jodie Ounsley is 19yrs old and was born profoundly deaf. She is a professional athlete with England women’s 7s Rugby. She plays on the HSBC World series and is part of GB rugby 7s training squad for Tokyo 2020