Surviving 2020: what's worked for me

It’s almost time to finish that last report, knock off the final meeting and put away your laptop, ready for a well-earned breather. How have we all manged these past months? Encouraged by a glass of festive sherry, there will no doubt be much review and reflection in the weeks ahead. My own thoughts surprised me earlier this week, unprompted by Amontillado. It's the season to share, so here are the twelve things that have helped me through this most unfamiliar of years. You're welcome.

1. BOSE QuietComfort II headphones. We live on a busy road and my ‘office’ is at the front of the house. Lockdown traffic was minimal, but the noise-cancelled peace and quiet is most welcome, now the cars and lorries and school run have returned.
2. A decent mobile phone and lots of data, to complement the WFH flexibility I’ve been fortunate to enjoy. Sometimes I needed to be away from my computer though not out of touch with my team.
3. Nespresso Ispirazione Palermo Kazaar. It’s not from Shoreditch though it has certainly helped. Usually with a biscuit by its side.
4. Routine, by which to structure the day and carry you through the slough.
5. Breaking the routine, because sometimes the mind and body need a kick up the arse. And I've found that disruption frequently reveals unexpected opportunity.
6. The opportunity to walk the dog. Never has so much mental meandering and processing been undertaken around the edges of Essex’s finest fields.
7. Microsoft Teams. It’s improved a great deal over the year, and we’ve simultaneously learnt how to get so much more from it. (Other programmes are available.)
8. My brilliant wife*. It’s been a stressful year and I have off-loaded a great deal. She has offered reflection and wisdom by return.
9. Motivating myself with some non-work targets. A 100k bike ride. A 5k run. (I didn't use to run). Touching my toes. Fitness has really helped me clear my head and strengthen my heart.
10. A sense of purpose and direction: knowing where I wanted to take my team and my life, with a willingness to accommodate the unplanned twists and turns.
11. Remembering that the important stuff still matters – business strategy, customers’ needs, the value of high quality tactics, the effectiveness of truly clear communications. Covid hasn’t changed this.
12. That click-bait lists suck. Taking care to not read ‘12 things’ lists and much of the media’s coverage of the year’s trials and tribulations. Spring cleaning my social media has helped enormously, too; dump the negativity.

And for 2021? More of the same, with bells on.

So what's in this for you? Here's my takeaway. Reflect on what’s helped and hindered you. Keep the good stuff, ditch the dross. Remain open-minded, and look out for others so that they may look out for you.

Happy Christmas.

* Close friends and friendly colleagues also recommended.