Ways to Find Opportunity in Times of Uncertainty

COVID-19 is not the first time when the world was dumped on its head, and it will surely not be the last. When I first heard about the Coronavirus and what it might be capable of, just like others – I was skeptical. The more we see the impacts across the globe, it is hard to turn and look the other way. The impacts of this pandemic will be felt through generations, but what is felt does not have to be centered on negativity.

There are opportunities that arise from chaos. It is all about the lens through which we view the possible outcome. Being ‘trapped’ at home, working virtually, or trying to figure out how to fight cabin fever during a quarantine is the victim talking to the victim mindset.

We are not victims here. Victims are taken advantage of, and that is not us.

Below you will find several ways to capitalize on the renewed focus you have in your life due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This is not a roadmap, but instead a self-assessment that I have drafted for myself. I hope others can utilize and complete a similar self-assessment. There is no right or wrong here, just continuous improvement.

First & Foremost – Enjoy Your Family

In a time where our time is spent concerned about with follower counts, likes, snaps, and premium content – this is a time we can reset. A time to set down our phones and focus on what is right in front of us. This was not our plan for this month (or months for that matter). But this is now our reality. A reality that, for some, is remote work and quarantining with your little ones, co-working out of your home, having lunch together, and everything in between. You are now the teacher in some cases, where before this was supposed to be a spring break spent relaxing. Maybe you had a mini-vacation scheduled, but now you are staycationing. No matter the situation, it is not as it was last week.

These are the times we will tell our grandkids about it, and our children will tell their grandkids about it. They will not remember the virus itself, but instead the board games, the puzzles, the movies, the snuggles, the ‘sleeping in a big pile,’ and most importantly – the love.

Staying Connected – While Disconnecting

To not sound as if I am speaking out of both sides of my mouth, as important as it is to disconnect from the noise, for those of us working remotely – it is important to stay connected. What you must balance is the inability to have in-person contact with our natural needs of face-to-face interactions. Depending on your generation, this need might not be as strong, but today we are only a week into this. Come week nine or so; I don’t care what generation you are in – you are going to want some face-to-face time.

So how do we do it? There are wonderful ways to stay connected within your work and your personal life. Obviously, most social media platforms provide a way to ‘go live.’ Even sharing pictures and scrolling through feeds is not the worst when you are isolated. Platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook offer a way to share in near-real-time – and these can make you feel more connected. Of course, video chatting, messengers, and good ole fashioned phone calls still all work well.

From a work perspective, if you have a remote workforce of any kind, you likely have already begun bridging the gap when it comes to connecting isolated individuals. Applications such as Slack allow entire companies (and multiple companies) to departmentalize, yet stay connected to the degree of depth you so desire. Creating highly-focused channels for projects or more light-weight channels for social interaction (#watercooler). Slack is a gamechanger during trying times or not, a truly innovative application with connectivity to various other applications (one of its most impressive features, IMHO).

A good video conferencing setup is vital as well – since this will be a big part of a successful face-to-face campaign within your work environment. Grab a high-quality HD webcam. These days, you can get a decent setup for no more than fifty dollars, and that includes high-quality sound as well. Coupled with a service such as Zoom, Slack Video Calling, or GoToMeeting – you are destined for video greatness.

All of these things will keep you in contact with your friends, your coworkers, and your family while weathering this storm.

Make & Record These Memories

This is a very important time in our lives. A time where families and businesses will naturally be hitting the ‘reset’ button and getting back to basics. First the first time, many will be having dinners together each night as a family. There will be lots of time outside for kids (disconnected).

From a work perspective, there will be lighthearted and honest conversations on messenger, and virtual meetings where you look like Alice from the Brady Bunch in a grid of cropped heads and shoulders. Capture these moments; these are the moments that you will laugh about and want as graphical memories later in life.

You have a camcorder, a high-end camera, a voice recorder – in your pocket. Use it. Again, these are the stories you will tell your grandchildren about. Imagine if you could show them how insane it was, how funny it was, or how real it was. You can, and you have the ability and the tools to do it!

It’s Time to Disrupt and Pivot

Great things have come from times of uncertainty (see Isaac Newton). It isn’t all doom and gloom. Being able to stop all the noise going on in the world and actually think – is quite a novelty. Sadly, we are too busy most of the time, working on things we think are important to get down to the things that could really disrupt and make a difference. When you are given nothing but time, this can be the springboard to some of the most creative solutions. Taking away simple elements that we take for granted – like in-person interaction, hands-on service and support, and traditional delivery of goods and services – and all of a sudden, your standard day-to-day is dumped on its head.

That’s where you get creative. Forget everything. Brainstorm. Call someone – talk it through with them. Look at other industries. Think of simple offerings as a starting point and build from there. What you will find a lot of the time is something that likely wasn’t what you thought of as your “hedgehog concept” before – is actually what you do best. Maybe it is simply a service. Service can come in so many forms. Maybe it is creativity, knowledge, expertise, experience, management, micro-management, maybe it is simply honestly. Regardless, when you find that one “thing,” lean into it. Lean hard. That is where you can make a difference.

Remember all the Free Things

Love is free. Time is free (now it is). “Thank you,” and “I’m thinking about you and your family” are both free. Your family, free. Rereading a book is free. Calling your mom, you guessed it. Free. Stop worrying about tomorrow and start worrying about today. When you come out of this situation, imagine how happy you will be to hug someone, to wait 20 minutes for a table at a restaurant, or sit in an hour-long meeting with those on your teams and create something awesome. Until then, let's capitalize on the freebies; it will not always be this way.

Step outside, get some fresh air. Run. Sing. SCREAM. This is a great time to work on you. Maybe try some new foods (Lord knows we are all learning to cook better with every meal). Maybe learn to dance (in the kitchen) or sew. All this requires nothing but time and time right now…is free.

This isn’t the end of the world, or maybe it is – but either way – why wouldn’t we spend it trying to make a difference? Be the helper, be amazing, and of all things, be kind. I beg you to be kind. You don’t know who or how someone is affected. You don’t know how scared they are or what motivates their actions. Start with kindness and end with kindness – and maybe some kindness threw in the middle, just for good measure.