Reboot: What I Will Do Differently Post Pandemic

I’ll remember March 13th, 2020 for the rest of my life. I had my last business lunch that Friday, just as the realization was hitting America. The World Health Organization had finally used that ugly word on Wednesday, March 11th - ”Pandemic” - but in the U.S. we had less than 1,000 diagnosed cases that week. It still felt like the sickness was in foreign lands, but boy you could feel it coming.

My guest at lunch was a business executive who leads a large workforce. We were both worried about personal safety, about people, about our economy, and about our own families. It was a morose lunch and I confess that we were both going through the motions on autopilot. I had the distinct feeling that evil was headed our way and quickly.

I’ve now had 14 weeks to think and reflect – three and a half months. Most people are past the sheer terror of Covid-19, but it’s impacts on us individually will be something we talk about and remember for the rest of our lives.

But through all the fear, uncertainty and doubt, an interesting thing has happened, at least in my own case. I want to use this event as an inflection point. I’m going to turn the presence of this scourge in our land as an opportunity to reboot my life. Heck, we can all use a good kick in the pants from time to time. Why not now?

Here are nine things I’m going to change in my life as our nation and world heal from this emergency:

Live in the Moment

I’m going to put the phone down at meals and really focus when people are speaking to me. I’m going to turn off the haptics on my watch so I can consume information when I’m ready. I will do my level best to 100% focus on one person or one thing at a time. Truly and deeply listening to people is a gift that I want to give as often as possible.

Experience (more) of the Joy of Learning

At mid and later points in a career learning often slows or even stops. I hope that’s not the case for me, but I’m going to knock it on the head and sign up for some online courses. I’m noodling with more college, but we can take it one step at a time.

Face Fears Head On

When I was 19 years old, I had a terrible fear of heights. Sgt. Major Byrum (Vietnam vet and general bad ass) yelled at me so loud I can hear it to this very day. “Ashley, get your ASS out that window and repel down that surface NOW!” Out I went. And I learned a forever lesson in that you don’t call a Sgt. Major “Sir!” I am going to seek out and destroy other fears in my life head on. I will not allow worry to control my mood or function, for one.

Seek Better Balance in Life

If anything, we all have learned that work can still go on in many strange circumstances. As knowledge workers (and NOT medical heroes) we can make it happen from anywhere. But there is a time to stop making the doughnuts. I will think carefully about evening commitments after these many weeks at home. Family dinners are wonderful and one day, hopefully many years in the future, I will no longer have these special times. So, I need to balance spending time on work functions with the all-important moments with those I cherish and love the most.

Keep Refining Goals till They Are Super Clear

We were all moving so fast. Do more. Close more deals. Process more emails. But what are we really trying to accomplish in our businesses? As a friend of mine says, less is more, more or less. I am committed to having no more than five goals that are SUPER clear at any one time. They will revolve around a clear overarching business goal plus family, finances, fitness and faith.  

Be an Independent Thinker

I thrive in social media. I love the interaction and hearing what others think. Also, I love the news and always have. In my role, I think people expect me to know what is going on. BUT…there is a point where consuming too much media of any kind is wrong. I will do my level best to avoid a group think mentality and form my own opinions about issues. How? In part by asking others to challenge my opinions and ideas and being open to feedback. Those I respect, those leaders in my life, will give me honest opinions that I will work hard to authentically consume. Then I will think about issues in an abstract manner and be conscious about a logic-based approach.

Be Intentional about Inclusion

I am simply going to say that I will open my heart and head to all around me. This is certainly not a new approach for me, but I renew my desire to earnestly seek to respect and be inclusive of all human beings. I redouble my commitment to listen, learn, reflect and respond and to look for opportunities for positive impact. 

Keep Perspective With an Attitude of Gratitude

According to the Wall Street Journal: “A growing body of research points to the many psychological and social benefits of regularly counting your blessings…Researchers find that people with a grateful disposition are more thankful for a wider variety of things in their lives, such as their friends, their health, nature, their jobs or a higher power—and that they experience feelings of gratitude more intensely. For them, gratitude isn’t a one-off “thank you.” It’s a mind-set, a way of seeing the world.” Amen

Remember That Life is About Seasons (this too shall pass)

One great day, I will have a business lunch again. And when this thing is over, and it WILL be over, I will smile and listen intensely to my guest. I imagine the taste of the food will be like a symphony as my friend and I share our optimism about the future.

“We have come through the pandemic and we are on the other side,” we will say. Thank goodness, and please pass the cornbread.