Act responsibly...

Most people I talk to these days are beginning to go a little stir-crazy: being isolated is tough on all of us. Yet none of us want to be the one to go out and either get infected or, worse, infect someone else. There’s always the risk of thinking that just one outing can’t really hurt, but then again, you never know. That’s why it’s important to occupy yourself while at home: with things like having a routine, talking to others regularly, and setting goals. Learning yesterday that this social distancing is going to last another 30 days was disappointing – it’s hard to think we can continue this for that much longer (or more). It’s the uncertainty that makes this most difficult and finding reliable information within all the media noise is hard to discern. So, get your head around this and make the most of it; and don’t be the one who’s responsible for continuing the spread of this virus. Order online, take advantage of curbside pickup, stay at least 6 feet away from others, and, whenever possible, stay home. Be responsible today. 

George Burns (1896 – 1996): American comedian, actor, singer, and writer, whose career successfully spanned vaudeville, radio, film and television

Do your part...

Many times, when we sidestep our responsibilities, the consequences are minimal and often undetected: not so with this Covid-19 virus: one misstep and the results could be lethal.  Talk about motivation. I presume nobody wants to get sick, but too many are cavalier about that prospect: the problem is less that you might get infected, but that you might infect others, and that’s the basis of the theory of community spread.  That’s why we self-quarantine, stay home, and wash our hands incessantly. We might play a little loose with our own isolation, but the consequences of that looseness can’t be dodged. It’s the beginning of week three of this isolation for most of us – in the beginning it was hard to accept; but I’ve started to see a grudging belief that this is only the beginning. When suggested that this might not end until summer, we scoffed; now that’s a reality. So, accept this social distancing and find other ways to focus, adjust, produce, thrive, and survive today.

Josiah Charles Stamp ( 1880 – 1941): English industrialist, economist, civil servant, statistician, writer, and banker.

Don't let the unknown scare you...

“When you come to the edge of all that you know, you must believe one of two things: either there will be ground to stand on, or you will be given wings to fly.” O.R. Melling

Boy howdy, I sure would like to fly away from this crazy (and serious) pandemic.  When I was a kid, I was naturally curious: things like dust motes and dryer lint seemed weirdly other-worldly – they were there but not quite understood. Germs were also a bit beyond complete understanding, but because our mothers always told us to wash our hands to get rid of them, they didn’t seem so scary: I mean, how scary could they be if you could just wash them away. But those dust motes were always there, and that lint was always in the trap no matter how often you emptied it. Maybe we should have realized the same with germs – they’re always there, we just have to remember to get rid of them often. Those things were on the edge of what we knew, and it probably would have been best to get a better understanding of them: clear and concise information is better than the stuff of our fears.  The same is true of this pandemic – there’s lots of real good information out there – study it and take it to heart – give yourself solid ground to stand on. Funny how it this pandemic has reawakened our fears of the unknown – best to combat it with the wise things our mothers always told us. Wash your hands today.

O.R. Melling: Irish-born Canadian Dancer and Author 

Focus on the outcomes...

Like many, I had trouble getting my head around starting to self-quarantine and isolate: it seemed a bit drastic and, frankly, I didn’t think I could do it. But as the news and impact of the virus spread, the reality of having to practice social distancing sunk in. It’s not like this all makes perfect sense but, being in the high-risk age bracket, I was worried about how it might end. I was in Hong Kong 15 years ago when SARS broke out: one minute there was little or no information, the next, everyone there was wearing masks and being quarantined.  We came home almost immediately and self-quarantined before going back to work. Back then, I was more worried about the infection and less about the mortality statistics; but I’m older now, and the current statistics make me realize how important it is to do what the experts say in order to have some personal control over this pandemic’s end and its impact on me and my family. Life really is fragile, and that realization is sobering. Stop worrying about being apart from others and focus on remaining healthy today.

Usain St Leo Bolt (born 1986): Jamaican former sprinter and record holder in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4 × 100 meters relay

Find your spirit...

People are doing all kinds of interesting things in these difficult times.  A friend who’s in a band sings for others every night on Facebook. One of the smartest guys I know has an Open Chat twice a day, five days a week, on Zoom.  And my consulting partner and I have started posting lessons in leadership effectiveness on our Tiny Classroom Live Facebook page. Yesterday I saw Vince Gill on Facebook participating in something he called a Deep Cuts Challenge – singing inspiring songs and asking others to do the same. Companies are conducting business online, media outlets are giving subscriptions away for free, restaurants are selling groceries, people are producing virtual conferences, and friends and families are having distance dinner parties on Face Time.  We all could have done these various things before… but we weren’t inspired like we are now: these difficulties aroused and fueled our spirits.  We’re sharing and caring, almost like never before. Make the most of your talents and opportunities in these difficult times – find a new groove and keep your spirit strong today.

William Ellery Channing (1780 – 1842): The foremost Unitarian Theologian in the United States in the early nineteenth century

You have choices...

It takes something like this pandemic to remind us that we’re all in the same boat: I could go on about this forever but seeing that today’s author is from an Animal Rescue makes me think in another direction. I travel a lot and am always amazed by the number of people who bring comfort pets on a plane: I always thought that was curious. But last month my daughter, who is the owner of three rescue dogs, took us to an adoption event and we fell in love with a 3-legged little dog that was injured and then restored to health by a volunteer rescue group. We fostered here for two weeks and finally adopted her last week. Right about now I am so thankful and comforted by this new member of our family: she’s been a gift in these difficult times. As we all shelter in place, it’s important to find comfort wherever you can… be it with family, colleagues, and friends online, work or school-from-home assignments, spring projects around the house, or a favorite pet. Let’s remember, we have to do MORE with what we have right now, not less. Find ways to keep your boat in relatively calm waters today.

Jamie Thomas: Executive Director at Motley Zoo Animal Rescue

Do unto others...

In these difficult times, this quote, by a superstar who has contracted the Covid19 virus, says it all. As a good friend reminded me yesterday, this is not only about changing your behavior to avoid being infected by this virus, it’s also  about changing your behavior to avoid transmitting it to others. That’s why social distancing is so important (why I’ve stayed away from my daughter and her family, something I wouldn’t do under almost any other circumstances), and why we’re all staying at least 6’ away from others if and when we must go out. It’s why non-essential businesses everywhere are closed until the pandemic’s growth curve flattens out and why people everywhere are essentially on lockdown. Nobody likes this… but we all have a responsibility to help make it end.  So, we’re staying home, interacting on Zoom and FaceTime, and staying close to our families and friends and colleagues on Facebook. Take care of yourself and each other, and be kind to others even when you feel the cooped-up urge to snap and lash out building within; use this time to reflect on what’s truly important and calm your inner drive. This whole crazy situation is bad, but it could be worse. Take care today.

Tom Hanks (born 1956): American actor and filmmaker