The COVID-19 Excuse Machine

OK, let’s just get this on that table at the very top. Yes, this is a terrible time and people are suffering. Yes, some unfortunate souls are dying from the illness. Yes, millions are in trouble economically. My heart goes out to everyone in this situation and I in no way want to minimize the troubles of so many in our nation. 

So, what if YOU are one of the people who are directly impacted by Covid? What if you or a close family member are sick right now? Well of course, you’ve got to deal with the crisis and get everybody as well as you can. If you’ve lost your job you’ve got to deal with that crisis. In fact, you can stop reading this blog right now and go back to much more urgent matters than my ramblings.

But, if you are not currently directly impacted, here’s my question for you… How long and how much of our lives should we give up obsessing on the issue of Covid 19? Unfortunately, we operate in a world where people suffer from calamities of all kinds – from auto accidents to cancer, and yet we still function before March of 2020 rolled around.  

We are over five months in to Covid at this point. I’m thinking it will be a full year of this thing from start to that glorious day when we can say we have conquered or significantly controlled the illness.

So, let’s put this in perspective for the long game. If we assume a great life span is 100 years, are we really going to spend 1 year or 1% of our precious lives frozen in fear over this virus?

We’ve already established that you are not directly impacted, but you and I read the same tiresome headlines in the newspaper day after day. Many among us have what I call non-specific worries or general anxiety. But let’s do assume you have a roof over your head know where your next meal is coming from  - and have a normal temperature. 

Many people are suffering from emotional distress and worry, which is to be expected, however others are simply allowing themselves to be distracted by what’s going on all around them instead of focusing in on what’s important.

And I bet it if you’re honest with yourself you would agree this is the case in your life (and in mine too). Perhaps you have the kind of job where a boss tells you everything to do every day. Maybe you’re a Marine and you have orders each and every morning. But frankly, I doubt it. If you’re reading this blog, chances are good that you’re a knowledge worker and you have large control of your life and daily schedule. 

And that means that someone or some employer has invested their faith and dollars in you to do the right thing. There is something you do in your job that makes you a rock star. Perhaps you develop business or provide amazing consulting services. Maybe you are a subject matter of expert of great renown.

The world needs what you do. That is why you are compensated for your job. And the time has come for all of us to return focus to the all-important work we were hired to do.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to retire the Covid-19 excuse machine. 

Roger that, you say, but how?

Let may suggest a book that is sure to help you with focus: Discipline Equals Freedom: A Field Manual by Jocko Willink

A little about Jocko, who is a hero of mine. He was in the Navy SEAL Teams for years, first as an enlisted operator, then as a commanding officer. He led SEAL Team 3’s Task Unit Bruiser, the most decorated special operations unit of the Iraq war. Then he became the officer in charge of training for all West Coast SEAL Teams. After Jocko retired, he was invited to speak to corporate America about leadership and eventually released in 2015 the book Extreme Ownership, which became a number one New York Times best-seller. He followed up with Discipline Equals Freedom.

Here’s a quote from Discipline Equals Freedom: “Freedom is what everyone wants — to be able to act and live with freedom. But the only way to get to a place of freedom is through discipline. If you want financial freedom, you have to have financial discipline. ... (this concept that) Discipline equals freedom applies to every aspect of life: if you want more freedom, get more discipline

Jocko has been through his share of hardship in life. Battle isn’t for wimps. I read his words with great respect.

Pick up his books and give them a gander. I won’t yell at you to drop and give me 20 pushups, but I WILL challenge you to focus. Do everything you can to get back to normal, and you might surprise yourself; you will feel better and I bet those around you will too!

Stay safe, wash your hands and let out an oohrah! tomorrow morning. You don’t have to wake up as early as Jocko but I encourage you to put your own personal battle plan to work every. single. day.

Discipline does equal freedom.