This year, 2020, started on an awesome note with the Vision Board event “Let’s have clear vision, 20/20” and then came Aunty Rona! It’s an affectionate name I choose to use to take the edge off of terms “pandemic” and the culprit named “Corona” or “COVID-19”. To be honest, living in times of a pandemic has been exciting yet scary at the same time. I’ve only read about and studied this in my Biology textbooks and deciphered cases of pandemics at University. To see things play out in real life is actually pretty cool. I realize that this might be a unique perspective and many Biologists’ wet dreams; if you don’t know, I have a background in Business & Biology (check out my about #DTWV page to read more of my seemingly weird combo that is very much synergetic).
Being the always-look-on-the-bright-side-of-life-type-person that I am, I’m choosing not to look at the status quo as a state of doom and gloom. Instead, I’d love it if you would take a journey with me to focus the lessons of Aunty Rona’s visit…so here are the 10 lesson’s from Aunty Rona:
- Expect the unexpected.
This is the case across the board, but we’re going to hone in on career and finances. Career-wise: Seeing the state of the world, I was preparing for the stronger online shift as was the increasing trend. A lot of brick and mortar companies have been going under. Look at the internationally well-known chain Toys-R-Us and V&D (Vroom & Dreesman) here in The Netherlands. Hence, I’ve chosen to focus on being more digitally skilled for some time and also helping businesses to develop their digital strategy and digital presence. Finances: Keeping my monthly expenses as low as possible and making sure that I save for a rainy day has kept me in this season. - We under-value essential workers.
Teachers, people in Health Care (doctors, nurses, care-givers of the elderly, etc), supermarket clerks, the people who work in logistics (from food, to postal services – the mailman, to waste managers a.k.a. garbage men). This is appalling and I’ve been an advocate to change the terms of lower-educated vs college educated. Often times, it’s practically educated vs theoretically educated. Hence, the value that they add to society should be rightfully compensated and we should change the way we see most essential workers – doctors aside because we already tend to praise people in that position. - Working from home has been possible for a while now, companies just don’t trust their employees.
I feel like it’s reassuring for companies to see their employees clock-in to work at a physical location because then like seeing employees working with their own eyes. This has long been debunked, but it offers a sense of control for employers who have not yet been willing to let go of the traditional form of employment. Mind you, this does not take away from the fact that being with colleagues is fun and it can create a productive environment to get ‘ish’ done. - Adaptivity is key in business and in life.
You may get tired of hearing me say this, but listen Lindo: “the principles in business, love and life similar if not the same!”. In this case, the fact is that adaptivity is vital for the survival of businesses and also for our survival as a species here on planet earth. According to Darwin’s theory of evolution, it’s survival of the fittest and the key factor to being the fittest is that we need to be able to adapt to any circumstances we find ourselves in. - There are 2 types of people: (1) Those who see chaos & panic and (2) those who see opportunity in chaos.
Please don’t get in your feelings if you’ve had anxiety or felt scared during this pandemic. It’s a natural response to big changes and it’s okay. However, some people say in a perpetual state of fear and feel like the world is going to end. Others have a different response to change and know or have been thought to seek out the rising opportunities that come as result of the status quo being shaken up. Know that you can be both of these people all-in-one, but it depends on where you are on the spectrum that dictates whether you crumble or create during a crisis. Massive companies that have been founded right before or during recessions are: WhatsApp (2014), Uber (2009), Groupon (2007/2008), AirBnB (2007/2008), Facebook (2004), SalesForce (1999), Google (1998), Microsoft (1975), Fedex (1971), Disney (1929) – (ref 1 and ref 2). This has been an awesome time to brush up on skills and do the things you’ve been meaning to do from the year 1. Paint that wall, learn to play piano, take that course you’ve been too tired to take coming from your full-time job, take the time to unpack personal issues you’ve been setting aside in order to accelerate healing or just get that much needed rest. This is the vibe I’ve been on and I’ve also come to realize that not everyone had the space, capacity or opportunity to do that; whether it be due to job-loss, being essential worker or just plain out feeling overwhelmed as a result of the current circumstances. - We tend to get distracted from what is fundamentally important in life.
Who are we really? Are we in alignment with who we are or aim to be? These are questions that we should revisit on a regular basis. Self-reflection and self-care is important, and so are family and friends. Yes, when we are on our deathbeds, family members and friends are the ones who are there with us, not the company you’ve worked for – no matter how much love you’ve poured into your job. Therefore, this is a great time to access if we’ve been investing enough into our support systems: our family and friends. - Relationships are put under pressure.
All of the things you would normally let slide now have become intensely annoying! Whewww child! Does this resonate? Some people have been so caught up with the hustle and bustle of the day-to-day that they don’t even really know who their partners and kids are or who they have evolved into in the meantime. Finding a new balance and giving each other space to be and function has been the current stress-test of relationships. Those who have enjoyed every bit of spending time together, kudos to you and keep that energy going! - Enforcing boundaries is essential.
Healthy boundaries is so important. Someone not being “busy” doesn’t mean that they are available! Many people have been home, but that does not mean that they are available to be lollygagging and do what you want them to do. Protecting your peace, work-space and time in which you want be productive is important with the new norm of flexible hours many have been granted with their new work-from-home status. - Budgeting (in a broad sense) has saved my life.
Budgeting my time, money and how much I eat has been a must! The latter has been a huge struggle with being home a lot. The fridge has been tired of seeing my face! Emotional eating and eating out of boredom is a something I bet many, if not the most of us, deal with. Then there is Netflix… there is only so much sitcoms, movies or reality shows you can watch before you feel like you’re starting to lose your mind (hahahaha). I feel like it’s not good for productivity nor mental health. I’ve had to create a different structure/budget for what I do with all of my resources in order not to get lost in the sauce. - Mental well-ness is priority number one.
Anything that costs you your peace is too expensive. At least that is how I feel about it. If social media is too much, then close the apps. If TV is too much, then turn it off. When you are at peace then you can be your best self for yourself, to others and take on anything that life throws at you. To bring things full-circle, life is unpredictable and that’s why you need to have a good foundation from which to pivot, adapt and live your best life.
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I’m so curious to know which lessons you’ve learnt or been reminded of during this pandemic. COMMENT on this blog and let me know. It’s always cool to hear, and in this case read, what your experiences are. Are your lessons the same, similar or anything else than was mentioned above?
Looking forward to your comments.
Be fabulous, stay fit and have a fantabulous day!
