3 Random Predictions for the Post Coronavirus World

Hey LinkedIn! Thanks for taking my call. Long time reader, first time author. I don’t fancy myself as much of a writer, but here I am typing away. Why you ask? The easy answer would be to say that it’s a great time to connect with others to raise visibility of my personal brand. Become a thought leader (just like we advise our clients). This is LinkedIn after all… the online Oz of business. Act the wizard be the wizard.

Those who know me know I’m not about small-talk and schmoozing. It is both a gift and a curse for an ENFP (topic for another article). I am not comfortable puffing my chest out acting the expert. So why am I really writing this?  The answers are simple. More downtime than usual. I need to feel alive. My mind needs to feel active. I get a buzz off accomplishments. Quarantine and social distancing are the perfect time for self-improvement.

So here it goes! My 3 random predictions for the post coronavirus world (warning – the predictions you are about to read definitely may not come true… but if they do, I reserve the right to take full credit).

 People are Forced to Realize Spending Money Does Not Equal Happiness

America… we have a spending addiction. My kids are 5 & 8. They have a lot of things. Their friends have a lot of things. Their parents have a lot of things. Heck, I have a lot of things.   When going out to buy more things, we often stop for a bite to eat, a cup of coffee, or maybe a random tennis racket you have been meaning to pick up.

This quarantine has absolutely stunted a lot of the spending in our household. No places to go, plus families and individuals are conserving cash. Way less eating out (Just take-out for obvious reasons). Less impulse buys. No after-school classes. Zero paid activities (ex. bowling, Dave & Busters, movies, etc…).

Instead these purchases have been replaced by epic nature (and neighborhood) walks, kicking around a soccer ball, playing instruments and jam sessions, making art, trying new recipes, and yes… writing articles like this.

The result? Even though my kid’s lives have been disrupted, they are genuinely at the same happiness levels as before. They are being healthier. So why are we spending this money to begin with?  

Yes, eCommerce is booming for obvious reasons. But as personal cash flow continues to become more problematic, many new people will come to the same conclusion… spending does not buy happiness. Even when this Coronavirus crisis is past us, the economy will slow. 

People Will Become New and Improved Versions of Themselves

Ever watch a movie with a prison scene and think “Man… if I went to jail for a year I’d be ripped!” Nothing else to do but work out right? Turns out you don’t have to turn to a life of crime to get in shape. All you need is boredom and free time.

Boredom is a powerful presence even in busy lives. We fill up free time with clicking on a handful apps and websites again and again.  We fire up Netflix and couch it up. When work is stressful, there is built in excuse to veg.

What happens when you get bored of the things you do when you are bored? Your brain searches for new ways to excite the mind.  In the past three weeks I started regular exercise, baked 3 layered cakes, dusted off my guitars and started building my calluses back up, completed multiple jigsaw puzzles, gone on 4-5 hikes, spent more time with my kids and AM WRITING THIS ARTICLE.   My brain is on overdrive and I am loving it.

I see post after post of DIY projects everywhere social. People learning new languages. Building furniture. Exploring and pushing their talents. My wife is doing an amazing job as an educator to our kids. Humans are a resilient bunch. When the earth opens up again, expect a new and improved workforce. Less smart phone clicking… more doing.

We Will All Appreciate the Little Things

This one isn’t a prediction. This is just fact. 

When you become a parent, you develop an instant appreciation for your previous life.  Getting up and going to the bathroom solo. Sleeping through the night (and past 7am). Not having the pressure of being responsible for someone else’s well-being forever.  These regular everyday activities suddenly become great luxuries.

We happened to have two absolutely terrible sleepers. Our sleep was literally disrupted for about 7 years. The result? There is not a single full night sleep I don’t appreciate. This permanent for me.

When we are finally allowed back to work and life, we will have a new appreciation for most everything. The gift of simply going where we want to go, seeing who we want to see, and not constantly worrying about the safety of loved ones. 

My hope is this new-found appreciation of the ordinary lasts a lifetime, just as it has with my daily sleep. We all deserve a fresh perspective of what is truly important in life.

I know a lot of us are hurting out there, mentally, spiritually and financially. Take solace in knowing that we will come back stronger, smarter, healthier, and more grounded. Share ways this time has been beneficial for you in the comments below. You might inspire someone to do the same.