So much of what has happened in the past three weeks has inspired dramatic change in my life, both professionally and personally. I can’t say that it’s all good; I work far too many hours and I’m not getting outside nearly enough. But there are a number of things — some dramatic and some subtle — that, despite the fear and anxiety of COVID-19, are incredibly positive.

Gained Perspective

I know I’m not alone here. I’ve gained a heaping dose of perspective. My family and I are very fortunate that none of us are ill (thankfully), and we’re all managing to work, go to school, and even have fun together. We’re doing our best to support others who aren’t as fortunate and we are so grateful to all the frontline workers who put themselves at higher risk to ensure we have what we need, to keep us safe, and to protect those who cannot protect themselves. I can’t say that I’m thrilled that my now-gray roots are showing, or that my nails are no longer well-maintained, but I can tell you that those are minor inconveniences and they matter far less now than they did pre-coronavirus. I also make a point of FaceTiming my mother regularly.

Leaned in Local

Now is the time to support our local businesses, many of which are hit hard by the complete shutdown. Small businesses like Camaraderie, which is a local boutique with amazing clothes for any occasion. Although they don’t have a formal online store, Kami and Danielle have been social mavens, using Instagram to ‘Story’ their clothing and generate e-commerce. My gym, Dynamic Strength and Conditioning (DSC), offers online workouts via YouTube — both live and pre-recorded — as well as nutrition plans and challenges to keep members motivated. And every Friday, we select a local restaurant from which to order.

Learned. A lot.

I just finished a Percipio course on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, which was incredibly helpful. There are so many points of view, so much data, and quite frankly, a great deal of conflicting information. It’s hard to sort through. But what I loved about this short course was its straightforward nature, basic guidance, and nod to the real experts — the CDC and the WHO. But my learning hasn’t been limited to COVID-19; I’ve also spent time reading the Myths of Branding in preparation for the launch of our new brand (more to come on that!), and spending time learning how to “[forge] ahead with perseverance and resilience.” All of these resources are available in our Business Continuity Learning Center or in Percipio (free access available!).

Got Social.

Although I’ve been on LinkedIn since 2004, Facebook since 2006, and Twitter since 2007 (year of the iPhone!), I have been sporadic in my postings. Facebook has always been about sharing pictures of my kids with family in Texas, while LinkedIn has been a way to stay in touch with former colleagues. Twitter, well, it’s been the place to gain access to news quickly. Recently, however, I’ve started to put more energy and time into my social networks, reaching out to more people and engaging in conversations — from comparing notes on Tiger King (dare I admit?) to how well (or not so well) our children are adapting to a remote learning environment.

Worked. A Lot.

I don’t know that I would consider this a positive, but I have been working more hours than normal. I also don’t have a commute into Boston, so I have more time on my hands. I will say that it’s been nice to have a big project and exciting experience on the horizon to keep me focused and engaged, and frankly, away from the television and news. As I highlighted in a previous post, we’re in the midst of #Perspectives2020, a fully reimagined global digital experience that will run 24 hours live and follow the sun across four continents. We’re packing it with valuable content including the insight and learning people need to upskill and resell for whatever the future holds. From world-class keynotes (Tara Westover!!!), to thought-provoking business continuity panels and deep-dive product sessions, it’s going to be a fantastic experience. Best of all, it’s completely free and available to all.

Found things to do outside of work.

I mentioned that my gym offers online classes, which have been fantastic. When you couple that with my Peloton, I’ve been able to maintain a pretty rigorous workout regimen. It’s hard to hold yourself accountable when working out at home, so I’ve been fortunate to have my daughter with me live and my dear cousin Melanie in NYC working out with me via FaceTime. As a family, we’ve also looked at how we can better create and connect during downtime. I’m not a fan of traditional board games, but I did come across one called Mysterium (a murder mystery) that we’ll try out this weekend while also selecting a movie OnDemand for our now weekly movie night.

Not everything has been successful; my foray into cooking has been met with sour faces and earnest offers to take over the responsibility. And while I’ve been meaning to do a bit of “spring cleaning,” that’s been met by my good friend procrastination, and alas, is still in my backlog.

So, tell me, what have you started doing that works? What have you stopped doing? I look forward to hearing your tips and tricks as we try to navigate.