Listen To Your Thinking...

So I don’t really listen to the news, honestly the sensationalism just gets me mad since I believe those in media owe it to our country to be positive and help people stay calm and collected in a time of turbulence.

Because I did not pay attention to the latest “closings” and perhaps because I never really think the outside world’s activities will affect me, I got up this morning as I do every morning at 4:20, said good morning and have a wonderful day to my husband as he rushed out the door, then  got myself ready for my daily workout at my gym….20 minutes later when I approached the building, I saw that the gym was empty – the parking lot was sadly still and the few lights on inside glowed against  motionless machines with only a memory of activity  - it saddened me for a moment and then I changed my mind ….

I decided that this was just another opportunity and I took advantage of it. I went home and decided that a vigorous mopping of my floors would get my heart rate going. As I cleaned, positive affirmations flowed through my earbuds and deep into my brain so that I could make sure that my thinking is where I needed it to be.  – If I need to move later, I will take a walk if I choose.

I know you will all see great posts from people with great advice on how to cope with this Corona craziness that is happening right now – maybe it is the silence and the stillness that will affect you the most – have you ever really watched time – funny, I heat up an egg sandwich for my husband in the mornings and it takes two minutes to “cook”. I am always amazed at how many tasks I take care of while those two minutes are counting down – and now many of you have hours to spend by yourself in the four walls of your homes…we have all seen the posts about dealing with children and a house full of people whose typical routine has been totally annihilated. Just picturing it can give us all a bit of anxiety, I am sure – but for those of you who are alone, there is a different feeling since you are alone with your thoughts and the quietness of your surroundings and the discomfort of also being out of your routine and not sure how your day 8,10, 12 hours is going to pan out…Fear not.

This too shall pass, and we will learn much from it – decide that you will embrace the change and just be an observer of it for a while – just take it in and understand that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. Decide that this change can be the opportunity that allows you to do your life differently –– perhaps there can be so much more done in the time we have all gotten back – if you are home right now and you are not using that time to commute, what can you do for yourself that will enhance your life or perhaps someone else’s? I am betting that most commuters are getting back at least two hours in their days – what will you do with it?

DECIDE to use it – what you think is what you ultimately do – I highly recommend that you DECIDE that this time can be positive and productive – Decide to be proud of how you are handling this as a member of society. As a nation we really are coming together to do our best to mitigate this invisible demon’s wrath even if you are complaining while you are doing! …you are a part of this, we all are – It won’t get us as a people if we do not let it, so let’s not let it.

Decide to turn your negative thinking into positive affirmations – what you think is what you do…Decide to think about how you may be a help to others who are not as fortunate as you – decide that you are fortunate and that no matter your greatest fear; if it comes to fruition it will die as well – everything here on earth has its time, this time has its time and it will pass – the question is, what will you do with the opportunities that are lurking behind the chaos – do you see them?

Our mission at the CFO Leadership Council is to empower our members, if you would like to get together and talk about what is on your mind, please reach out. We are a virtual company and so have been doing what many of you have just begun, for over a decade – we get that you can feel isolated but you do not have to feel that way – we are happy to pull together a live meeting on a topic that would help you at this time; whether it is professional or personal growth, we will connect you with like minds – we can easily get a roundtable together so let me know what is on your mind and we can discuss – we are about leaders learning from leaders – let’s do this!

You can reach me via e-mail at [email protected].

Remember, today is going to be exactly what you believe it will be.