What a year…
Like many leaders, every month I send a practice-wide newsletter - sharing stories from the frontline mixed with poise, style, and a little humor – challenging the status quo along the way (amongst other things by also highlighting some of my favorite things, and this month’s list is included at the end of this piece). While the newsletter itself contains updates about the business and touches on Deloitte activities, I also include a “message from Deb”– an opportunity to connect with my team on a more personal level and reflect on major (and minor!) milestones happening in the world.
This month, I wrote about the last year – acknowledging the challenges we have faced – and the opportunities in front of us, recognizing there are still moments of uncertainty ahead. I am repurposing that note here for your reflection – acknowledging the “pandemic wall” and perhaps more importantly our perseverance and resilience, coupled with an optimistic view of the journey ahead…
Happy March!
A year ago, I wrote my newsletter message from home – like so many of you – sharing “office” space with my husband for the first time, leaning into the thought of “athleisure” as the new work attire, baking [vegan, gluten-free] banana bread, and thinking we would be back in the office sooner rather than later. Well… what a year it has been. A year has gone by, making “athleisure” the standard attire, trying new recipes (last weekend was a take on mashed brussels sprouts), new puppy at my feet (graduation for @thetoddfatherpup and adventures with @bennyservicepup), and yet uncertainty still exists. Vaccines are here, but how and when we [for herd immunity] will have them is yet to be determined.
The last year tested us – pushed us to our limits. If you think about it, we have essentially been operating in a state of fight or flight for the last year – navigating uncertainty, consistently wondering “what’s next.” Whether it’s the pandemic and its implications, confronting social injustice, or disasters in states like Texas – it truly feels like enough is enough. After a full year, it’s understandable that each of us are teetering (if not already there) on emotional overload and – guess what – that is totally normal! Although we [hopefully] seem to be nearing the end, operating in the unknown without a clear finish line in sight is an ongoing challenge. What can we do in the interim to get us over that line and help us push through the wall? For starters, we can look ahead and plan for the future – perhaps you will have another socially distanced Passover or Easter – and plan for a promising [in-person] fall holiday! Change your routine – as it gets warmer, commit to getting up a little earlier and going for a walk or run (or whatever is right for you) – simply being outside for some fresh air. And of course, continue to reach out to others. Connecting with family, friends, and colleagues to say hi can be a bright light in someone’s day – including your own! We may not know how close we are to actually ending the pandemic, but we have the tools to push through the “pandemic wall” and help each other get us there.
So it’s been a year – one of change and challenge – but here we are, together. This year shifted our perspective and even our values – it’s true that times of great disruption allow for significant innovation (whether that be personally or professionally). Here’s to a year that taught us how to persevere and looking forward, to another year filled with – well who knows; but I know we will put one foot in front of the other.
All the best,
Deb
Deb’s favorite things – March:
· Just EGG - I know – this seems weird (I too was a skeptic) – but if you need to eliminate egg from your diet, I’m tellin ya – this substitute is legit!
· Judas and the Black Messiah - Incredible story about the Black Panther Party – #TeamGolden was hooked from beginning to end.
· Throw throw burrito - Yes, you read that right… what’s not to like about a card game that’s filled with ducking, dodging, and throwing airborne burritos!