Nuggets from the Lockdown
2020 forced a reality check on most of us — if not all of us. The COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown that followed were the first of their kind in a very long time. My heart still goes out to every family that lost a loved one. It was a season of great loss, but as the saying goes, we have to gradually pick ourselves back up.
Individuals, organisations, and governments had no time to prepare for the tremendous impact this pandemic created. There is a saying that when you fail to plan, you are actually planning to fail.
So what have we learned — or what are we still learning — from this global crisis? Here are a few lessons, and how you can protect yourself and your organisation from unforeseen circumstances like these.
Redefine your priorities
During the crisis, many of us started stocking up on the essentials — which means, deep down, we do know what is essential and what is not. Economics teaches that human wants are insatiable, so we have to keep redefining our needs versus our wants in order to bounce back and grow our savings.
The right timing and the wise allocation of scarce resources are key to navigating challenges like these. Some of the things we spend money on are not nearly as important as we think. Focus on what really counts.
No makeup
The lockdown gave us the chance to look beyond the façade. With more time in front of the mirror, we started noticing things in our immediate environment — things we had refused to pay attention to and see for what they truly were. Relationships needed an honest overhaul. Organisations needed an honest reassessment: how had the company fared, and what needed to change to get things right?
We all hide behind different façades. It might be a demanding job or a busy schedule that keeps us from dealing with real issues — in our relationship with ourselves (spiritually, physically, mentally, and in personal growth) and with the people around us (our spouse, children, and family).
Those hard conversations you kept running from — you had to face them. Nothing gets solved by procrastination.
Finding your inner strength and capability
Just as many jobs were lost, many were also born. As people began to think and look inward, they started thinking outside the box and became smarter about securing their future — rolling out new entrepreneurial ventures and finding capabilities they didn't know they had.
The gap between the known and the unknown
There is always a gap between the known and the unknown. That is why we have to make room for uncertainty and the unexpected when we design our plans. Those variables belong in every equation, and provision should be made for them to reduce both the severity of the impact and the time it takes to recover.
Family is something — if not everything
The isolation awakened the realisation that we cannot truly thrive without people. Appreciating our loved ones and telling them we are glad to have them in our lives should be something we do often.
Let qualities like love, forgiveness, patience, tolerance, and kindness find expression at home. Don't waste the quality time you have with the people you love. Create space for vacations. Make new memories together. In a crazy, busy world, it is okay to pause and reflect soberly. It is good for our sanity.
Health is wealth
Eating healthy food to boost our immunity against disease and infection is not something we should only do in times of crisis or imminent threat. It should become a lifestyle.
We saw the role our health status played in fighting COVID-19, and we heard the constant reminders to strengthen our immune systems. Choose foods rich in vitamins and minerals — fruits and vegetables should sit near the top of your grocery list.