19 Apr Are there two sides to the COVID-19 Pandemic?
There has been a lot written on COVID-19, but I thought that I would share a few quotes from Podcasts, the news and various other articles that I have read in the last few weeks. I hope these provide us all with some lessons and thoughts on living through home isolation, working from home, inspiration and are there two sides to the COVID-19 Pandemic?
“The unique thing about this crisis is we’re all living it at the same time as having to manage within it, … My daughter lost her job, I’ve got very sick elderly parents in the UK and I can’t visit – my mother’s got COVID-19.” Telstra CEO, Andy Penn
“COVID-19 is also an opportunity for business leaders to “get radical” and make changes they were previously resistant to” Telstra CEO, Andy Penn.
“Look VERY carefully! Please comment on this post in a way in which you’re going to positively affect the world once we get through this crisis?” – @KP24 – Kevin Pietersen
“Events you live through and events that change you” – Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. “What does this moment ask of me?” @rabbisacks
“Our greatest pain can be our greatest celebration, But I promise it’s in vain, unless it brings a transformation” In-Q @inqlife
“We have to smile more, laugh louder, and love harder. Especially now.” @inqlife
“Routine peeps, routine” Andy Gild @onthemovecoaching Some great routines are to Get dressed and set goals: some routines not to break if coronavirus means you have to work from home
“Normal employment patterns won’t suddenly reappear” – Centre for Future Work director Jim Stanford
“The unknown is the biggest stressor, right? That’s where the anxiety comes from. It’s real.” @kevinLove on how he’s taking care of his body and mind during these times.
“Social distancing doesn’t mean social or self-isolation.” @kevinlove emphasizes the importance of virtually reaching out to your friends and community during this tough time
“In order to be open to creativity, one must have the capacity for constructive use of solitude. One must overcome the fear of being alone.” ~Rollo May
“Boredom creates moments where your mind begins desperately searching. You’re hungry for stimulation, and so you begin to search the recesses of your mind, reaching out and hoping something grabs you by the hand. This searching is what inspires creativity.” Joey Camire.
“Find Quiet. Creativity sometimes washes over me during times of intense focus and craziness of work, but more often I get whacked by the creative stick when I’ve got time in my schedule…” Chase Jarvis
“Call family, friends and colleagues to see how they’re doing. Stay socially connected.” Paula Brough
The pandemic may even bring peace in parts of the world “Utilise this opportunity and cease all hostilities with the utmost urgency” Martin Griffiths, UN special envoy
“Kindness, its catching – It’s not hoarding and panic buying – plenty of people are helping others” Tom Cowie and Nicole Precel in the Age
Generally, everyone is not just looking for joy but finding and embracing it. “Nothing will ever be the same after this,” one student predicted. “And I think that can only be a good thing.” Columnist Wendy Squires
“Sentiments such as these are giving me faith we are all not only going to get through this crisis, but we are going to come out the other side as better human beings. ….This pause on life as we have known it may also give us the blessing of time and introspection to take some control in regard to how we want to live in the future.” Columnist Wendy Squires
Chef @adamliaw says “When times get stressful, it’s often those closest to us who bear the brunt of our fears and fragilities. That’s when we have to remember a truth that sometimes gets forgotten in the noise: our families are our greatest gift. They offer love and support when we need it the most. We would be lost without them, and they without us.
We can use the changes caused by this virus to put aside our perpetual busyness and reconnect with our families in ways which are kind and loving. We can close the doors to our houses and realise that every joy and success we’ve looked for outside is actually right here, by our sides already.”
“In scary times, it’s easy to be scared. Events can escalate at any moment. There is uncertainty. You could lose your job. Then your house and your car. Something could even happen with your kids” Ryan Holiday @RyanHoliday
Ryan Holiday quotes a Hebrew prayer which dates back to the early 1800s: כל העולם כולו גשר צר מאוד והעיקר לא לפחד כלל. “The world is a narrow bridge, and the important thing is not to be afraid.” The wisdom of that expression has sustained the Jewish people through incredible adversity and terrible tragedies.
“We can’t give into fear. We have to repeat to ourselves over and over again: It’s OK to be scared, just don’t be afraid. We repeat: The world is a narrow bridge and I will not be afraid.” @RyanHoliday
Some advice on working from home – Get up “Don’t work from bed. You want your bed to be a place of peace and calm, not work stress.” – Liz Grossman Kitoyi, co-Founder and CEO of Baobab Consulting @baobabconsulting
“Remote work is the future of work.” — Alexis Ohanian, @Reddit @alexisohanian
“For the super fit, it’s okay to lose some fitness. In fact, it’s probably wise.” – Triathlete, @timbo_reed
Companies need to set priorities for the next three to six months, including protecting the health and the well-being of their staff, keeping customers connected, building flexibility & capacity, managing remote working and ensuring you are financially sustainable.
Actively manage your wellbeing by maintaining routines where possible, connect with family and friends (even if not in person), staying physically active, eating nutritious foods and seeking additional support by contacting a professional support organisation as required.