Four Important Lessons I’ve Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic

As we quickly approach our second holiday season of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve been reflecting on the past year and a half-plus. It’s been an incredibly difficult and trying time for all of us as we navigate the throes of a devastating viral pandemic that has crippled our economy and will have likely have yet unknown effects on our society and our wellbeing for years to come.

I know I’m not alone in wondering if we’ll ever return to the relative “normalcy” we had before the pandemic began raging in February 2020. While the pandemic has presented significant challenges for families, workers, and business owners, I think its also given us a unique opportunity to look at the bright side and reflect on what we’ve learned—especially those lessons learned and positive outcomes!

Here are four important lessons I’ve learned over the past year and a half that have made me realize the pandemic also has some upsides:

1.??????Travel isn’t always necessary.

Pre-pandemic, I was a regular business traveler—as in nearly every week. But let’s face it, not all travel was productive. Not being able to travel during the pandemic really brought that to light for me. While there’s no substitute for face-to-face time with clients and teammates, the pandemic has proven that travel can be greatly reduced, and that you can still get some of that face-to-face time in via virtual platforms. The benefits of this are many, from the obvious upside of reduced expenditures and less impact on our climate, to having more time with my family—especially my daughters during their formative teenage years. Plus, less travel has allowed me to place stronger emphasis on healthier living, with more time for priorities that aren’t easy to focus on while on the road, like working out, eating healthy, and maintaining ideal sleep patterns.

2.??????Working remotely does great things for productivity and work-life balance.

While we are starting to initiate our formal return to office plan at MTM to allow for in-person teambuilding and connection, giving our employees the ability to work from home has increased their overall engagement and productivity levels. The pandemic has shown us that working remotely allows our teams to achieve an ideal balance between work and home life, while also ensuring that productivity and service delivery doesn’t suffer. Giving our employees the power to own their productivity has been a huge motivator for us. Plus, our staff now have more time to spend with their families and are spending less time in the perils of traffic during their commute—making a significant impact on our environment. Another upside for me: less heels and more tennis shoes! Let’s be honest, for women, having these extra days where we don’t have to put on makeup, do our hair, and pick out an outfit for the office is a huge timesaver and a big perk. It’s a relief for me, and knowing my teammates and coworkers also have more time back in their day is a great feeling.

3.??????A healthy lifestyle is easier to achieve than ever.

For many of us—myself included—the pandemic has served as a reminder that without our health, we have nothing. We’ve become more aware of our health and the importance of exercising, which traditionally suffered from the impact of time spent in the office and in the car commuting to work. With so many of us continuing to work from home on at least a part-time basis, it’s been easier than ever to make the time to stay fit and active, cook healthy meals at home, and squeeze in those appointments for preventative, routine healthcare and vaccinations like COVID and the flu. All of these things are so important to our overall health and wellbeing, as well as our ability to be more productive when we sit down to work every day.

4.??????Mental health has become top of mind.

It’s not just physical health that has become a priority—mental health has, too. During those first few early months of the pandemic, we quickly realized the impact that stress and being cooped up at home had on our lives. We all faced challenges that were stressful and overwhelming. And, as we realized we weren’t alone in our struggles, the topic of mental health become less taboo. Not too long ago, many of us found it hard to talk about our mental health struggles and ask for help when we needed it. As a society, we’ve opened up about our mental health, seeking support and therapy more readily without fear of what others may think. Poor mental health doesn’t discriminate. It can affect any of us, and its so important to know you have the resources to turn to when you need help.

None of this is to downplay the crisis of the pandemic and the impact it has had on our society, economy, and overall lifestyles—but I do think its important to look at the situation with a “glass half full” mindset. As we approach Thanksgiving, I encourage you to do the same! Talk with your family and teammates, reflect, and see what lessons, positive outcomes, and silver linings you can pull from the dark cloud of the pandemic.?