A different perspective on COVID 19

As we go through one of the most complex periods of our time, herewith some personal thoughts

1.      Adaptability and agility remain fundamentals of disruption. Yes - your work, your context, how you do things, and so much more has shifted. You should to. Talking about it ad-infinitum wont solve it. Your ability to adapt, and the speed at which you do this, is what will set you apart.

2.      I know you are concerned. Everyone is. Use this time to reach out to friends, colleagues and family. Reach out, not with answers but as a pillar. The more pillars we have, the more we can rise

3.      Our ability to manage the next few weeks, is premised on our ability to move from a spirit of individualism to collectivism. We are all in this together, and we can only get out of this together. Don’t create panic. Don’t rid the stores of essential items, at the expense of others. Yes - you can afford it, but think of the broader impact your decision has on others

4.      Most individuals and businesses have had massive financial impacts in the last few weeks, with a grim few months ahead. However, perspective and empathy matter most in this context.

Think of individuals who might lose their jobs, or businesses who might not survive. Think of our fellow citizens who are in the frontline and cannot just transition to working from home. Think of the millions of people who are unemployed and will feel the impact the hardest.

5.      Be mindful of the impact of your conversations on our precious kids. Having COVID 19 dominate every conversation at home, has a massive impact on them. Don’t let the current context take away from your role as a parent to provide an environment of love, safety and care.

6.      Based on 5, use the changes in work structure to spend quality time with family. Less travel, less miles, less traffic means more time at home. Treasure it and create an environment of love and care.

7.      Small and medium sized businesses are going to have a massive impact in the next few months. Support them in every way possible

8.      Move from an “armchair view” of flattening the curve to a personal view. “Behave as if you have the coronavirus.” In this way do everything to enhance social distance, practice mindful washing of hands etc. If everyone does this, we play an active role and stand a much better chance of actually flattening the curve

9.      Don’t contribute to the panic, fake news and false information that is out there. Verify facts before sharing, question the motive of sharing and call out those who spread fake news. It creates harm, in an already complex environment

10.  Use the events of the last month to value and appreciate everything you have. What seemed like massive issues a few months ago, seem insignificant today. The lesson is to spend less time sweating the small stuff, and more time on what really matters

11.  Create a gratitude journal and share your thoughts everyday. The last few weeks have been a stark reminder of our fragility but also the value of what we have. Treasure it 

12.   Lastly, we have leaders, who are under enormous pressure to lead in this complex environment. Pray for them and support them