A Converged Life

Convergence – in my world, it used to mean wired and wireless technologies melding together for a seamless user experience. Then it meant data and technology transforming industry through shared economies. Now, thanks to the coronavirus, it applies to our work and personal lives – our temporary abnormal.  

Road warriors accustomed to airplane hopping are now homebound and feeling busier and more stressed than ever. Hour-long commutes have given way to TEAMS and Zoom conferences turning drive time into “productive” time. On the occasions when we worked from home before the pandemic, we would shush the kids and put the pets outside to retain a professional near-office experience. Today, children’s voices and cats walking across keyboards are woven into the fabric of our WFH (work from home) life. The silver lining in this? We are all more patient, understanding, and kind. 

With the advent of the coronavirus, distinct lines that marked our professional and family lives have dissolved. We are constantly juggling kids and pets, shopping and cooking, figuring out remote learning, dog walking, exercising when we can, bandwidth issues, and squeezing work into our 24x7 schedule. Employees struggle to stay productive, often forgetting to take breaks and over working. Leaders wrestle with how to keep their teams engaged and show empathy for individual situations, while also dealing with company expectations and objectives. Add to that the uncertainties of our world, society, economy, and the timeline for when we will emerge to a new normal - it is exhausting. 

Humans are Resilient 

We are up for this challenge. We are strong, smart, and resourceful. There are examples cited every day of families establishing routines for structure (and sanity), individuals using the added at-home time for personal or professional learning and enrichment, and companies being more open to a future which includes a remote workforce.  

Our neighborhoods are evolving as well. Obligatory waves and head nods as cars pass on neighborhood streets have given way to 7pm cheers for healthcare and front-line workers, home-baked treats left on a neighbor’s porch, and food and supply deliveries to those who cannot easily or safely get out. This renewal of caring and connectedness reverberates across our communities and society. It is a refreshing view into our better selves. We are figuring it out and finding definition in a topsy-turvy world. 

Connectedness 

Families and neighborhoods are reconnecting. The rise in container and community gardens is resulting in “sold out” signs above vegetable seed turnstiles at garden centers. Some have likened the movement to Victory Gardens from 1941, bringing communities closer for a common good. For those needing a bit more help or who have limited space, innovative companies are making gardening easier and more enjoyable. Gardenuity is one such business taking the guesswork out of container gardening. Grow kits are assembled leveraging technology to match plants, soil, and growing nutrients based on grow zone and current weather patterns. There is such satisfaction nurturing plants, using home-grown ingredients in meals, and just getting your hands dirty. 

Artists are creating joy and fun for their neighborhoods through cul-de-sac and fire escape mini concerts. Musician Adam Chester puts on Saturday evening concerts on his street to bring his neighbors together to dance, sing along, and simply have some fun. Children decorate windows and “chalk the walk” with hearts, rainbows, and inspirational words bringing smiles and connection to residents and passersby. If this is the “new normal”, then sign me up! 

Giving Back and Paying it Forward 

In everyday life, doing for others gives us purpose, but during crises, this need is amplified as we look for ways to ease suffering and contribute to the recovery. During this pandemic, many are finding purpose through giving back or serving meals at the community kitchen or leaving “solidarity” baskets to put in if you can and take out if you cannot. Others sew masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) for eldercare centers, indigenous communities, and first responders. Restaurants and servers have been impacted so deeply by the pandemic, with take-out and curbside becoming the norm. Tipping a little extra shows gratitude and helps support workers. Ordinary people helping, doing extra-ordinary and selfless things.  

Non-profit organizations are in severe need of help, and volunteering does not need to stop as we are hunkered down at home. There are numerous ways to help and stay safe, from food bank deliveries to scanning books for the visually impaired, to online mentoring. Resources are available to find ways to contribute time and talents to help and to find meaning. There are great examples of ideas and resources in this Good Morning America story. Also, State Farm Insurance has created a 12 months of giving calendar with suggestions on how to get started and find local options. Acts great and small all matter.  

The Shift to Recovery 

It is an understatement to say that our lives have been disrupted and that we are all navigating our way through a converged work and home life. In a courageous move, LinkedIn, Twitter, Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, Amazon, Hitachi Americas, and Facebook all announced that their workers can WFH at least until October. The work week is changing dramatically and where it will land is anyone’s guess. More companies will surely follow this model. It is safe to say, we will not see the old normal again.  

 As schools, businesses, and communities reopen, what aspects of this converged life will stick, and which will fall away remains to be seen. Patience, acts of kindness, compassion, and the best of humanity will be essential ingredients as we decide our way forward. Hashtags like #StrongerTogether, #InthisTogether, #BetterTogether and #LeadByExample have meaning now. It is incumbent on us to ensure they remain relevant. 

We are making history. Future generations will look back and assess how we did, how we chose to react and what we accepted as our new normal. This will be true across our converged lives, and in how we inspired and led our families, communities, and work teams.