Grateful lessons from 2020

Well, we made it.

2020 was a ride. It's no doubt a year that has shaped our worldview. It's caused pain and heartache to millions.

The global pandemic has shattered lives, eliminated jobs, and caused an unmeasurable social impact on all of us.

Who would have thought in February when we were finalizing plans for an unforgettable company kick-off event in Mexico that weeks later would be the last time I'd step foot in an office for months, and see our teams and colleagues for nearly a year and beyond.

I miss people. I miss the simple interactions that come from the "water cooler."

It's how I'm wired. My experiences have been fueled by connections with people. And the virtual world just isn't the same.

And yet through all the challenges we've faced, for which I'm very blessed to have healthy family and friends, a roof over my head, and an amazing team at EVERSANA. And so through all the hurdles of 2020, here are four lessons I've learned that I hope will propel me to better days in 2021 and beyond.

• Lesson #1 - Keep learning and growing - 2021 has taught me the value of continued learning and growth. This year I finished a goal I started four years earlier, earning an MBA. But learning is more than a degree. It's about embracing new ways of thinking. Figuring out what may be the best way to handle the curveballs that come from COVID each day. How should we communicate a message when we don't have the answers? How can we do live events better using a technology we've never used? The answer is simple. You learn. You learn fast. And you keep learning. Learning fuels growth, and in 2021, I'm grateful for my growth and learning opportunities.
• Lesson #2 - Embrace change - You've no doubt heard the saying 'change is a constant.' 2020 has been all about change. From how we connect with each other (enter "zooming") to what we need to wear in public "masks" to where we work (basement, bedrooms, closets if the kids are too loud), we've all had to adapt quickly to change. I've struggled with lots of this change. I liked my routine. The commute. The lunch walks. Whatever it might have been. But the change in 2020 to my routine has made me better, I think. Embracing change has helped me to think differently, to challenge the status quo, and hopefully be better prepared for whatever comes down the road.
• Lesson #3 - Enjoy the little footsteps even more - As a dad of two young kids, I'm blessed. Way blessed, and way lucky. I had kids later in life, and one of my "whys" is to be as active as I can in their lives. It's hard sometimes, with a demanding career to be around for so many important moments. But when March hit, and we were all "sent home," I heard more little footsteps than ever before. Sure, some created some questions on virtual calls, as the ceilings shook above as my two-year-old danced to "kid wiggle songs." But from March to today, I've been so lucky to hear more footsteps, and to be home almost every night to tuck them in at night, say prayers, and have special dad moments. This has made me a better employee, a better colleague, and most importantly, a better husband and father. And though somedays seem to never end, I am grateful to hear more footsteps in 2020 from my little team.
• Lesson #4 - Be grateful in all things - This one is simple yet profound. 2020 has taught me to be appreciative of everything. Turn on the news or read the paper, and the world is collapsing. It's hard to find good news. And yet it's there. You just have to look. Sometimes it's looking into the eyes of your child, who hugs dad when he comes "up from work" because they get to see you. Or it's the joy of seeing family and friends you haven't seen in months because of social distancing. Those embraces bring such joy. It's the day your kid brother vows to spend the rest of his life with a young lady and take on fatherly responsibilities for her children, and to see the joy on their faces to be together. And it's the simple nightly walks to see the stars, taste the fresh air, and know that this is a huge world, and then return home to a family of love and hope. For these moments, and for so many of you in my network who have inspired me through how you live each day, thank you.

My hope is 2021 brings us all health, success, joy, peace, and the opportunity to experience more moments that matter, that inspire us, and that can further shape whom we are all destined to be. Happy New Year!