There’s no doubt, this has been a tough year. Now at least there is light at the end of the tunnel - over time it does give us hope that the world of work can begin turning once again.

In order to be in a position where we can present ourselves in the best light, feeling mentally and emotionally strong we need to begin now.

Below are some thoughts on how to get in the best head space as we move through some challenging months toward a better future:

1. Don’t ignore what you’ve been through - deal with it!

Allow yourself time to process the past few months. Deal with any stress and anxiety. Gather your thoughts and figure out what you’ve learnt about yourself and the world around you. By looking back and consolidating you’ll be able to proactively use your experience in the future.

2. Look towards what you really want - don’t settle for ‘making do’

In times of crisis we do whatever we need to in order to survive. Now it’s time to think differently. Once we emerge from this we need to be ready to hit the ground running. There are going to be opportunities. Time to be bold with your thinking and look toward the new horizon of possibility.

3. Face the obstacles - don’t let them trip you up.

There will no doubt be challenges to face as we move forward. We need to spot them early and be agile enough to tackle what lies in our path. Remember, wherever there is a shared problem, there is usually opportunity within solving it.

4. Enjoy the good times - there will be some!

There will be joy amid our gloom and struggle. There will be laughter, love and happiness. Focus on what makes you and others feel good. Exercise some ‘self care’, dish out a bit of good cheer and allow the happiness in.

5. Make space - for the best version of you to arrive!

Clear the decks, shovel away all the, pardon my French, sh*t! It’s time for the bleakest year in over half a century to step aside. If you are going to grow into those wings, you are going to need space to spread them and fly.