I’ve been asking my clients to respond to three questions over the past month as we all enter the world and transition to the next – post-vaccine (for most) – chapter. The questions are meant to help us be proactive in how we work, live, interact and lead. It’s abundantly clear that not everything is in our control. But, by taking the opportunity for mindset shifts as well as physical ones, we can have a significant impact on our own experience and that of others around us.
What are you going to do?
What are you looking forward to doing once you are fully vaccinated (for those who make this choice)? This is a fun prompt, but the answers can be a serious indication of not just what we missed, but what we value. Many of my clients immediately reply “travel.” And, that is certainly what I did almost to the second when it was safe for me. Feel free to give a shortlist of “firsts” and then ask yourself if you see any patterns and if there are signposts that illustrate your deepest desires or most cherished relationships. When you are free to move about as you please, where, and to whom, do you go? How can you make the underlying values and actions more of a priority?
What are you leaving behind?
What are you eager to leave behind? Ok, no fair saying Zoom (too easy)! For some of us, it is physical constraints and/or the lack of boundaries between home and work, or being a parent/teacher/chef/entertainer and enforcer-in-chief. For others, it’s loneliness created by distance. For me, it was the lack of delight produced by random encounters. I’m also ready to chuck certain overstretched leggings and mindless trips to the fridge. Dig into your response and see how you might organize your space and time to shed some of what no longer serves you.
What’s coming with you?
What practices and insights are you going to pull into the next chapter? This is my favorite. We’ve learned so much over the past 15 plus months – about ourselves, our work, each other, and the world. Maybe you’ve started going for long walks or found the joy in home-cooked meals. Perhaps calling people just because (imagine!) has brought joy and a connection you had forgotten could be so enriching. If not commuting has given you access to time for other things, will this influence the cadence of your workweek? My connection to my neighbors has been turbocharged, and I am bringing that energy into the future as best I can. Ditto some quiet morning practices.
The pandemic has demonstrated many things, from the importance of compassionate leadership to the value of community to our need for deep connection (to each other and to our inner sources of strength). Let’s commit to learning what we can and creating a new and healthier future.
