Marketing nerds, raise your hand!

Some of my best thinking happens when I put my kids to bed. As I was rocking my daughter two nights ago, I thought about this crazy pandemic, my perspective on how I could make the “best” of this time, and the things I CAN control versus the threats that are outside my control.

This is where the marketing nerd comes out. Ever heard of a SWOT Analysis? Maybe you’ve taken part in one at your work? It’s a tool used primarily for businesses to develop strategy.

It stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Strengths and opportunities are things you consider favorable and within your control, while weaknesses and threats are unfavorable and often dictated by external factors.

Under a more personal lens, I could use a SWOT analysis to acknowledge how I’m equipped to get through this challenging time and identify where I need help.

Also, while I need to be aware of my weaknesses, I can’t spend my time stressing over them. I’m not a teacher. I’m not used to being around my family ALL THE TIME. I have to let go of perfectionism.

Here are some questions I considered when I did my own SWOT analysis.

Strengths

What personality traits are helpful during this crisis?
What experience do you have that helps you to navigate this?
What technology and supplies do you already have access to and are using (internet, art supplies, etc.)?
What self-care practices are working?

Weaknesses

What are your daily pain points?
What parts of your physical environment aren’t working?
What resources do you lack?
What parts of your personality or past experiences make this time more challenging?

Opportunities

What resources do you have access to that you’re not using, yet?
How can you enlist your partner or family to help? Anyone else outside your circle (virtually)?
What are the things that you need to add for self-care?
What tweaks can you make to your schedule?
What do you need to let go of?

Threats

What are things you can’t control?
- COVID-19 spreading (you only have control of you (and maybe your kids), not anyone else - STAY HOME)
- School staying closed longer than expected
- The world staying inside and for how long (stores, restaurants, specific services)
- State of the economy (jobs, stocks, etc.)