Have You Used Your Lockdown Time Wisely?
September 2020
On the first business day of January, just eight months ago—when the Dow was at 28,868, the economy was going gangbusters, and the unemployment rate was at an all-time low—who would have dreamed that 2020 would turn out to be the year that wasn’t?
As you raised a glass of bubbly to ring in the New Year, could you have ever imagined—in your wildest dreams—that air travel between the US and China would be banned within a month, that virtually every major city in the entire world would be completely devoid of cars on Easter Sunday, that the price of a barrel of oil would go below zero just ten days after that, that facemasks would become a fashion statement by the 4th of July, or that so many big city mayors would demand their police stand down for weeks on end in the midst of riots, allowing their once-vibrant American cities to be virtually destroyed by Labor Day?
It kind of puts a whole new spin on the concept of “WOW.” Maybe I need to send a copy of my book, The WOW Factor Workplace: How to Create a Best Place to Work Culture, to each of these big city mayors. Seems to me they could use a little help in understanding how truly inspirational leaders create and maintain best places to work.
After the economy came to a screeching halt, did your once oh, so comfortable and familiar way of life shut down along with the overall economy, or did it simply slow down, or did it actually get even busier than before, as you tried to learn new ways cope with managing both your job and the schooling of your kids, all from home?
Or, have you been more like me, lucky enough to actually benefit from some unexpected but very pleasant surprises as a result of the forced lockdown?
I certainly never thought the social distancing thing would go on for anywhere near as long as it has. Guess that’s the Pollyanna in me. Frankly, I’m more than ready to get back to a thriving life of fun and freedom, living among the lively in a mask-free society. I really miss seeing smiling faces and the ability to easily recognize people I ought to know when I go into the grocery store.
Yet, I have to admit, I’m actually quite grateful for the unexpected gift of a time-out. It’s given me a chance to focus on some things I may not have otherwise had the opportunity to fully concentrate on.
One gift has been a renewed dedication to fitness and walking—right here in my own back yard, so to speak. Mind you, when global travel was completely unrestricted—not that long ago—my husband and I routinely spent literally weeks on end experiencing life in various foreign countries each year. I don’t even know the number of miles in any given day we would walk together while in Europe, or Asia, or wherever. We usually came home weighing less than when we left, thanks to all the walking we did.
Well, since there’s been no place to go this year, we’ve taken to walking all over our own little island paradise. I was actually quite stunned when Google Maps started emailing me a monthly timeline, a few months back, to inform me of the number of miles I’d walked outside of the house during the past month (71 miles in June; 99 miles in July). I can’t wait to see the number of miles Google is going to tell me I walked in August. Between you and me, I’m going for a personal record now!
Another thing that’s been truly fantastic: I have had way more time than I expected to have this year to focus on the interviewing and writing process in preparation for publishing my third book, Women on Top: What’s Keeping You From Executive Leadership?
Having been through this process before—writing my first two award-winning books—I can honestly say it took years to interview all the awe-inspiring executives I featured in those books. But with most everything coming off, rather than going on, my 2020 calendar since launching book #2, Heartfelt Leadership in March, I’ve had way more time than I expected to conduct and transcribe all the interviews I planned to do for book #3, even if I had to conduct most of the interviews using Zoom or Webex.
I’m really thrilled I should actually be able to launch Women on Top within a year of publishing my last book. That’s a WOW for me! Even more of a WOW has been getting to know each of the amazing women I will feature in this book. Every single one of them is an incredible role model in heartfelt leadership, inspiring best places to work, within their respective worlds:
Healthcare: Nancy Agee, President and CEO of Carilion Clinic, and former Chair of the American Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees.
Manufacturing: Jodi Berg, Chairwoman and CEO of Vitamix Corporation.
Hospitality and Theme Parks: Meg Crofton, (retired) President, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, US & France.
Military: Lt. General Kathy Gainey, US Army (retired).
Museums / Government / Higher Ed: Dr. Kerry Healy, President of Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (not to mention former Lt. Governor of Massachusetts and former President of Babson College).
Corporate Learning & Development: Wendy Johnson, retired President, CEO and Franchise Owner, Dale Carnegie Institute of Georgia.
Retail: Melissa Reiff, Chairwoman & CEO of The Container Store.
Transportation: Linda Rutherford, SVP and Chief Communications Officer, Southwest Airlines.
I can honestly say, interviewing these incredible women has been one of the most profound and joyful experiences of my life—and I’ve had many such experiences. I could sit and listen to these interview recordings over and over, but that probably wouldn’t be the wisest use of my time if I’m going to get this book out there and into the hands of other women who so deserve to benefit from their wisdom and lessons learned.
So, that’s enough about me. How have you spent your time since March?
Have you lost a loved one to Covid-19? Have you struggled to stay connected and bring cheer to an aging family member who’s lonely and alone? Have you spent hours each day in Zoom meetings? Have you reorganized all your closets? Have you home schooled your kids or grandkids? Have you worn a rut in the road in front of your residence, walking your dog numerous times each day? Have you set a new book reading record for yourself? Have you become more interested in politics? Have you found a new passion?
How would you rate yourself? Have you used this gift of lockdown time wisely?
What will you be most grateful for when all of this is finally behind us?