As a Coach I have been touched by the number of conversations I am having with clients and colleagues. Here are some take-aways from our talks:
A few weeks ago, we were working in our offices focusing on how we should up our game; how we are showing up; looking at new opportunities, positions and responsibilities. Our children were attending school and learning traditionally. Today, we are working at home. Our kids are either home-schooled or learning remotely. We are disconnected from our work teams while we are disrupting the family system. How to cope?
Try setting a routine or cadence in these crazy times. Dress and clean-up like you are going to work. Have items to accomplish for the day beyond calls and Zoom. Establish boundaries around time: work time; off-time, family time. When it is off-time, practice being, “off” and being present with your family (cellphones off and out of sight). The daily in-person office interactions have been replaced by video conferencing. Check in with your teams working remotely. See how they are doing. Are they taking care of themselves? How is their family? Are they feeling overwhelmed? It’s not all about work and driving metrics. Show up with empathy, compassion and vulnerability. We are all human. Let your people see that in you.
It is a good time to dust off the gratitude list and daily jot down two or three things you are grateful for. Use meditation for grounding. The practice can be as simple as a breathing exercise of three to five deep breaths. Are you getting plenty of rest and eating healthy? It’s a good idea to exercise each day—walk, dance, stretch, etc. If the sun is shining, take in some Vitamin D and go for a walk or take that Zoom outside.
We cannot lose focus on the fact that this too will end.
Our families and our people will remember how we showed up in these surreal times.