So, What Did You Learn From This?

When I tell the story of Think Creative and our 20-year history, I reflect on the 2008 recession being an inflection point for us, and how we never would have become what we are without the lessons learned during those 30 humbling months. I also usually inject a small joke at that point in the story: In 2010, when I realized we were going to survive, my clinical psychologist dad asked me: “So, what did you learn from this?” and I, nerves frayed and pockets empty, responded snarkily, “I learned that I better be retired before something like that happens again.”

Alas, here we are.

The Coronavirus is not the same as the ‘08 recession, but it certainly meets my description of “something like that.” And yet, I’m not retired. So in other words, here we go again.

This time, though, I’m talking a lot more openly to a lot more people – clients, friends, family members, Thinkers – and what I hear, whether in words or tone, is pretty consistent. Fear. Nervousness. Anxiety. Confusion. Anger. Resentment. Even a little bit of denial thrown in. And yes, every now and then, hope. I’m not surprised; I feel all those things, too. I’m scared and nervous, questioning my abilities as a leader, questioning whether I will make the right decisions, questioning what can be controlled and what can’t. I’m muddling my way through (probably just like you). My default optimism is being tested. Seriously tested.

But here’s what I believe. Action is always better than inaction.

Writing this piece is action, and I feel better now than I felt half an hour ago when I found myself surfing the Department of Health’s website to find out if the number of active cases and deaths in Florida had changed since I logged on 45 minutes before.

Action is always better than inaction.

Despite my introverted tendencies, I’m sad and bored working remotely and being separated from my team. Listen, I’ve always said that I like being around my “work family.” I just didn’t know I liked being around them “this” much. So what action do I take? I bug them with texts and Slack chats (that’s a thing), ask them what they had for lunch, pick their brains about projects (and this essay), and ask for end-of-the-day catch-ups, despite the fact that there’s a spreadsheet open on my desktop that details the status of every single thing we’re working on. I know I’m annoying, but it’s keeping me sane.

Action is always better than inaction.

We’re working hard on all the projects we have on our roster. We’re working equally hard to come up with new and novel ideas for all of our clients, beyond projects that have been assigned. We’re thinking about today and working on the future. We don’t know when we’ll get back to normal, but we’re taking action today for whenever that may be. 

Action is always better than inaction.

Literally. I’m keeping my exercise routine, running in the mornings, turning my gym workouts into at-home body weight workouts. And when I get stir crazy, I take walks to move my limbs and get some fresh air. My wife calls exercise my prozac. Given these anxiety-inducing times, I need it now more than ever.

Action is always better than inaction.

I send texts and Facebook messages to my fellow entrepreneurs because I want to know what they’re up to, want to share information, and want them to know they’re not alone. I’m checking out how other entrepreneurs and organizations are dealing with this crisis. Some are doing really, really cool and generous things! (Looking at you Joe Hashey – giving his gym equipment to his members, Foxtail Coffee – giving away free coffee today, and Hawkers Restaurant – giving 50% off meals to service industry workers, who will be most devastated by layoffs and business closings). Some are sending out really boring emails that must have been written by lawyers and edited by the risk management team. And some seem to be, well, oblivious to what’s happening in the world (no, I don’t want to buy season tickets to our local NFL team when the global economy is on the verge of collapse).

So, I guess that’s my best advice. Action is always better than inaction.

Frankly, this has been a crappy year that just keeps getting crappier. So, I’m going to keep willing myself to get up every day and take action. And that action will come mostly in the form of finding ways to help and support the folks around me. Because as often as I find myself thinking that I wish I wasn't dealing with this, I’m more often thinking that I wish...you weren’t dealing with this. Yet here we are, in this thing together. (Well, not together-together because, you know, social distancing.) But still, I’m here, you’re here, we’re all here. So let’s take action together. Call me, text me, email me, Slack me (that still sounds wrong), FB messenger me, Facetime me. I can’t make it all better, but I know we will make it. Together.

And in a couple months (or years), when my clinical psychologist dad asks me: “So, what did you learn from this?” I will take a deep breath and answer calmly, “I took action whenever and however I could.”