3 min read

One Year Later

It's been one year since our lives were completely changed with the global pandemic. This was not something many of us anticipated experiencing in our lifetime, and even the best of planners were blindsided here. I remember it felt like business as usual up through that Thursday with this swelling uncertainty, and then a seemingly sudden escalation of the severity of what we were facing. Everything seemed to shut down.

We were all figuring it out as we went along. Some were learning technology and having to help with home school for their young children while also navigating new working conditions. Some were quickly adapting to keep businesses afloat, pivoting to what we were considering a new norm. Some were taking up new activities like baking banana bread, or taking advantage of free online classes that were being offered for a limited time. Some were reevaluating their life's work, purpose, and priorities. Some were trying to cope with a lot of uncertainty and stress, maybe even sickness and loss.

All this to say, you may have learned a lot in the last year.

Who were you this time last year, and what was a priority in your life then? How has that changed since?

When I think of observations or lessons learned, here is what comes to mind:

Leveraging Technology & Resources to Make Changes and Fast. Decisions and changes were implemented efficiently and effectively, leveraging technology and resources, in a need to adapt to the changing environment and landscape. We witnessed business operations in different areas quickly pivot in the face of the pandemic. Would this have happened had the hands not have been forced so quickly or at all? I think of how complacent we can get, and I think about the number of people involved in business decisions and approvals. It was so impressive to see so many industries shift so quickly in such an impactful way when it had to be done.
Work Life Balance and Identity. The uncertainty of the last year was stressful to say the least. From the unknowns with COVID-19, worrying about health and safety, watching so many business operations and industries change, and witnessing so much uncertainty and instability in the workforce, this was a wakeup call to say the least. If you are one of the many who fall into the workaholic category, feeling the impact of the changes and the fear of the unknown can shake you to your core. It can also remind you to channel your energy and find that balance. What did you love to do before you put everything into your job? What are your personal values and the activities or passions that bring you joy? Finding that balance is so important, especially in a pandemic. While I didn't bake banana bread, I did take some trainings, and doing more of what I enjoy, like reading and creating.
What Happens Next? As we start to think about the future after this unexpected shake-up, it is hard to go back to the way things were. Think about your values and priorities, and consider what the future might be. A recent Forbes article has me thinking more and more about the question, "Can you succeed without that?" This is an opportune time to think about what you want the future to look like in your personal and professional life.