Our appreciation for “better times” comes from understanding not only of how difficult things were, but how far we’ve grown.
Recently I was planning with a client. “I’m so ready to put 2020 behind us,” she said. “Going back to normal - the office, spending time with my people, not feeling so overwhelmed.”
“Makes sense to me,” I said. “Still, you should be proud of what you accomplished last year. You exceeded a lot of goals.”
“It was our best sales year in a decade! I guess we adapted pretty well,” she said.
“Don’t sell yourself short,” I said. “You moved hundreds of people home, online, and still hit the highest production ever. People were safe and successful during a pandemic and an inventory shortage. You adopted technology in days rather than months. You attracted talent and customers. And you handled a legal and political environment where rules changed daily.”
“Oh, and I ran my best 5k time ever,” she laughed.
“Exactly. The pandemic wasn’t only about its prohibitions, but its permissions. It was a puzzle that challenged you and you stepped up. It even gave you “cover” to make some tough calls sooner that had been on the horizon. Our greatest growth happens at the corner of life and change.”
“Don't forget 2020 too fast,” I said. “You wouldn’t want to overlook everything you’ve become.”
I’ve had this conversation a lot lately. Nobody liked the pandemic, the politics and the problems of 2020. It’s still real and scary and far from over. At the same time we should look back on how strong we’ve become because of these things. Adapting. Solving. Keeping going. Helping others, too.
Once in a lifetime lessons bring us once in a lifetime growth opportunities. Things we worried about before turn out to be not so important. Stress over daily inconveniences pale in comparison to what needed to be instantly transformed or rescheduled or re-decided. Competitors become newfound friends. Shortages are steadily overcome. Long-standing issues suddenly solved.
We grow and grow up.
We try and succeed.
We turn up and even
Turn some things off.
There’s an old saying that not everyone bad has come to hurt you. It might be the push we need. To shock the system into action. To bring out the best in us. It doesn’t mean it won’t be difficult or frustrating or sad. Nor won’t be a valuable or a worthy challenge.
So when you catch yourself thinking,
“I just can’t wait for things to be normal,”
Be sure to give a moments pause -
And recognize how far you’ve come
During the most UN-normal of times.