Taking the right parts of 2020 into 2021.

Whether you sang “Auld Lang Syne” at midnight on New Years Eve or not, I think it’s a safe bet that at the end of 2020, you were keen to “ring out the old and ring in the new” – but so far has 2021 really BEEN so “new”?

On a good day, I would argue, yes.

On other days, it receives a resounding, scowling “no…” so in the spirit of #glasshalffull as a mindset, I set about collecting some of my own learnings, that I’m taking from the year that shall not be mentioned into this year, 2021 because #lessonslearned make for a more optimistic future. And we need that.

Working from home anyone?

The phrase “new reality” has become as overused (and relevant) as “unprecedented.” Once upon a time we did this thing called a “commute”, we moved from desk to meeting rooms to sandwich shops with an ease, we took for granted, now we live on Blue Jeans, Zoom and Skype with some micro chips for lunch and just enough time to transfer the washing to the tumble before we report in for call number 107 of the day, it seems.

But the “new reality” can and should evolve.

Lessons learned from 2020:

Showing up.

Whatever your equivalent of #warpaint IS – whack it on. Get the hair done, grab a different t-shirt and make a point of having a fragrance IN your office room. I won’t go into the psychology of the difference scent makes, but it DOES. So, spray your Tom Ford (other brands are available), before you start a meeting, get some reed diffusers, or go crazy and open a window. Just freshen up the space and your mind, every now and again.

Meetings.

Attend meetings where you KNOW you will make a difference at what you, can bring to the table. If you are not adding impact, consider sitting the meeting out. Alternatively, challenge yourself on MAKING that difference, prep for it and show up. You will feel more energized afterwards. Trust me. Point is, use the time valuably for yourself, one way or the other.

Innovate your meetings.

Do something different in terms of asks, agenda and delivery. Get your heads together with your colleagues, open a jam board and just talk and think as one. Balance the line between social capital and BAU and make the choice, as a team that your meetings can be “anything, but ordinary.” There is a place for that in this world.

“How are you?”

Stop asking how people are. Note, I did not say, stop caring.

Odds on, you already know. Instead, ask them about their week or whether they prefer dogs over cats (note: other animal choices are available.) For over a year now, we have been checking in with each other, virtually, so with respect, odds on, we KNOW how we are. Bring something else into the mood of the meeting, that still engages and opens dialogue, but to me, “how are you?” right now, needs a vacay.

Book in time with colleagues you LOVE.

It matters. #youmatter. Make a point of it, every single week and do not apologize.

Wellbeing.

Keep yours on your radar and do not take it for granted. Also do not assume that it does not need a top up. Some people are naturally, scientifically resilient. It is the way they are made. Daily, weekly, monthly, we all need to replenish our own resilience levels. The year continues to ask a lot from us, personally and professionally. Resilience is the key, but it needs a re-charge, so me to you, tie that in with your well being as a way of living and working.

“What you want and what you need” – are two different things.

Keep the balance and keep this sentiment, at the forefront of your week, it honestly, helps to keep me grounded personally and acts as a great reminder to sit on the exercise bike, switch the laptop off or push the boundary on a project.

No matter what, this IS a brand-new year.

Everybody felt pain, isolation, resentment and drank their fair share of Processo in 2020.

The year was, one of loss in innumerable ways. But that was then. While no one I know, is making lavish plans for 2021, what I have noticed and what I try to make a point in doing myself is being present IN the present. It is the one time, we know we have and yes, it could all turn on a dime BUT it should not stop you from living in the present and continuing to be READY. Being ready is everything, but it is a life’s work, that is something that no year can take away from any of us.

“Purpose” is what matters. Daily.

Do not allow it to ebb away.

We cannot choose the year ahead of us, but even on days when we all just want to banish the sound of our alarm in the morning - once the caffeine has kicked in, we can make the choice to look at our own 2020 learnings and use them to build our personal version of 2021. A great lesson is one you learn, not just in the moment or IN the lesson, but how you take it with you in the future.

That is the point and that, is the way to get to another year’s rendition of “Auld Lang Syne.”