We Are Still Learning
For those that celebrate, we are in the midst of Passover. For others, you might have celebrated Easter this past weekend. There were many different ways family and friends came together virtually through video and audio.
For me, I’m used to my entire family around the table sharing an amazing meal. This year we did Zoom gatherings, some Facetimes in preparation and a cooking tutorial for my son in Los Angeles.
Just a few months ago, we never could have imagined that our spring holidays would be so different than every other year. There are lessons to learn from this, just like there are with any challenging situation.
1. Connection with our family and friends should always be a priority.
I think the way people calendar their days and their weekends will change tremendously after this experience with social distancing. Family time, happy hours, networking events will rise to the top and making consistent plans to get together will feel like a necessity, not a luxury. In person when we are in the same city and virtual when we are not. No more waiting until next time when we are actually in person. We have learned to connect virtually and share wonderful times
together. A client shared that she gathered with her seven siblings for an evening chat in the last couple of weeks. We have both used Zoom for many years in business and yet neither of us had used Zoom for personal enjoyment and getting together with distant family and friends.
2. We can handle a lot more than we think we can.
No one was prepared for this, but we have all done our best in the wake of it. I have seen amazing strength from business owners, individuals and families, along with giving spirits and supportive hearts. So many people are doing everything they can for others. And we are all showing creativity and innovation, coming up with new ideas and adjusting plans almost daily.
3. Plans are good, but a flexible plan is better.
From now on, in our marketing plans, our sales plans, our revenue plans, we will leave room for the unexpected. This will cause us to be even more on top of our numbers and look at every scenario, ready for anything thrown our way. We won’t get thrown if we are driven to make adjustments, and we will be able to change direction with ease, feeling confident in the process.
4. Outdoor time is essential for our health.
Right now, our porches, backyards and maybe a trail or park are the only escapes from the confines of our walls. We won’t take for granted getting into nature and connecting with the beauty of the world. We might eat our lunch outside instead of hunkered down in the office, we might walk to work and skip the train and we might hold team meetings outside, giving everyone a chance to take in some fresh air.
Unexpected situations teach us things that make us better parents, better spouses, better partners, better friends, better business owners and overall better humans.
2020 is teaching us a lot. We can listen and learn and we will grow from this, I just know it.