Positive Changes Amidst Pandemic

It’s not a mystery that COVID-19 has brought challenges. Whether they be personal or business, I have had to find ways to overcome them. Writing this article was a chance for me to sit and ponder on the positive changes that this pandemic has brought both personally and professionally. 

Closing the physical distance with friends and family

The thought occurred to me that social distancing may perhaps have an unexpected reverse effect. While we might be distancing from friends and family who are physically close by, social distancing is shortening the distance with people that are physically further away. 

While we are maintaining a 6 ft. distance from people who are reachable, we are closing the distance with people who are thousands of miles away.  Many of us are in more regular contact with friends, families, and colleagues whom we used to only talk to on special holidays or get-togethers. Since no one knows for sure when we can travel and gather normally again, we can throw the waiting out the window and start connecting now!

Yes, we have to work on the timing differences, but there are fewer mental hurdles and psychological difficulties to connect with people who are normally further away. Because we are unable to actually interact with people who are in the immediate vicinity, the whole notion of in-person interaction is irrelevant and normalizes the physical distance with people who are much further away. 

The technology has been there, it is the attitude of the operators (we) who are evolving. 

 Expanding our minds to new business offerings

 Humans are inherently creative especially when we are in survival mode. Since people can’t shop, dine, and have their services like they normally would, businesses pivot to meet their customer’s needs in new ways. 

Such as live streaming exercise classes, high-end restaurants have become wine purveyors, private training via video meetings, etc.  I see no reasons as to why these new ways of doing business can’t continue post-pandemic. Businesses can turn survival into growth opportunities by incorporating their creative ideas when we are back to normal. Digital transformation will be further accelerated as a result of COVID-19.

Discovering your TRUE passions

 Many of us are unable to continue with some of our favorite activities, which has given us extra time to try some of the interests we have promised ourselves, (for years & years) we would start if there was “more time” or “fewer distractions”. (People with young children might not have experienced the less-distraction phenomenon. You can skip this point if you are one of them, but it might still be fun.😄 )  

What I have discovered amongst my friends, along with myself, is we have still managed to find reasons for not starting or spending time on those “interests”.  I have come to realize that those interests are probably not where my true passions lie because, in reality, we find time for things we are truly passionate about. 

This has been a good realization for me personally as now I feel less stressed about not having enough time to explore those interests I always promised myself I would try. However, I do have time to explore what my TRUE interests and passions are and can begin to allow myself to take time and dive deep into them. 

Whether it be in your personal or professional life, it’s no doubt that this pandemic has brought challenges along with it. How are you choosing to approach them? I challenge you to search and find the positives amongst the changes you have had to make. I would love to read them so feel free to comment below or send me a message! It will brighten my day.