I have some confessions to make, friends. I watched a commercial the other night that ended with, "We're all in this together." I rolled my eyes. I saw an ad for coffee (I think) that began with, "In these unprecedented times..." I rolled my eyes again. If I hear that phrase one more time...ugh. 

As I drove through the Costco parking lot today I watched a driver almost hit several cars and people, I think because she couldn't see above her mask and through the "bulletproof" plastic shield. Glad that her mask and shield are keeping her "safe." Sure wish there was something that would keep us safe from her. LOL!

I organized a virtual prayer meeting for the men in my local church last week~and while it was so good to see everyone, I'm tired of having no real in-person connection and only being able to connect virtually.

You know what other phrase I'm tired of hearing?? "New normal." It seems every politician and leader has uttered this phrase millions of times in the past few months-and while I totally understand what they're saying, I'm tired of it too! I don't know about you but I just want some semblance of my old normal back!

Bringing Some Normalcy Back

If I'm feeling this way, there is a good chance you (and/or the people you lead) want the same thing too. We were not meant to be in crisis mode all the time! It isn't sustainable for you or your people (if you lead.)

A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine invited me over to hang out with him in his front yard. Yes, we had appropriate distance between each other. We didn't shake hands or hug. We maintained the proper precautions. And we had a great time of connection. My soul needed that time of normalcy. It really did. 

Friends, I would encourage you to find the ways that you can (appropriately) re-introduce more normalcy back into your life. That might mean get a mani/pedi as soon as you can! Get a massage. Get back to the gym. Listen to the funny morning show on the radio instead of news. 

Maybe you weren't really a big news person but have been watching the news 24/7 during the crisis. Well, you might need to turn off the news more often and not get the up to the minute COVID-19 case count. In the time you save by not watching the news, invite a friend to meet you in the driveway. Bring your own chairs; bring your own wine; take the masks off (stay at least 6 feet apart) and connect!

The main point is this: take a look at what is different today from your previous routine~and see what you can start to put back into your life. 

At Work

I know that many things are still NOT normal at work. But here are some ideas...

Reduce the number of "all hands on deck" Zoom meetings: When the crisis first began it made sense to huddle the troops together. But now, if your daily Zoom meetings are all sounding the same; if the idea of custom backgrounds has lost it's novelty; if YOU are tired of looking at a screen-it might be time to reduce Zoom time. 

Reduce the number of meetings-in general: One thing I am hearing from my contacts in the industry is meeting overload. So if you did a 5 minute morning huddle and now that's gone to a 30 minute huddle~bring it back in to 5 to 10 minutes. 

Begin Training Again: I know many companies went into survival mode when this began and suspended training for associates. It might be time to begin your in-person programs again (again, with all of the appropriate precautions.) Or if you're not ready for in-person training, then it might be time to start up your associate training again. 

Reduce the Crisis Updates: I know of organizations that may been sending out daily updates on what's new or different with COVID-19. Quite frankly, if your team doesn't need an daily update, think about reducing the frequency of those types of emails! Again, let me be clear, let your team know what they need to know-but try and avoid overload. 

What have you done to return some normalcy into your work day?

Reducing the Toll

COVID-19 hasn't just affected the body, it's affected the emotional, relational and spiritual well-being of millions. Even if you never get the "rona" the odds are good that all of this has still taken a toll on your mentally. I believe the mental toll, which is not measurable right now, will be the major hidden collateral damage of this season in world history. 

So, do your part by taking care of yourself through returning some part of normalcy into your life. Start by asking yourself, "What do I need??" If you can do it, DO IT! Then combine it with the good things that you have added to your life during this time. If you do this I believe that you will put yourself into position to not just survive but THRIVE as you transition to the post-COVID-19 world!