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Life lessons from a pandemic

Exceptional EA
Some background

Ever since my first COVID-related article and Weekend Poll, which I drafted in late February 2020 and published a couple of days later, assistants and association leaders have responded any time I’ve asked for insights on business continuity planning (BCP) practices, working remotely and in hybrid situations …  and how you’re managing, both professionally and personally. 

 Not that long ago, I published my most extensive poll yet on the pandemic. We covered so much ground in that poll that it made sense to break down the results in three separate articles. I began by publishing assistants’ responses to all matters ergonomics, compensation, remote working, job security, vaccinations, communications, resilience, influence, goal setting, performance feedback and more earlier this spring.

“I’ve become more grateful, even for the smallest things”

Not long ago, I shared your insights on career lessons gained through the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Readers spoke to remote working, digital meetings, assistants’ impacts, productivity and expendability, and more. In that article, I shared readers’ insights on adaptability and openness to change, confidence, networking, communications and visibility. Readers also shared lessons in skills, professional development and career planning. Last yet certainly not least, you gained insights on resilience and wellbeing.

What life lessons are we gaining from all this?

Here, I’m sharing a look at life lessons readers have gained as a result of this pandemic. It’s unsurprising that a few people brought up change, as there’s been plenty of that forced upon us as a result of COVID-19. I believe we should anticipate the pace and frequency of change to continue to accelerate, even after we’ve pivoted (what would a COVID-related article be without this now overused word?) our respective ways into new or reconfigured norms.

“Change doesn’t need to be all bad. There can be positives, and you can make a difference.”

As another reader commented, “Change can happen at a moment’s notice.” People raised all manner of life lessons, from the value of a hug to the importance of financial planning, saving and being financially realistic. Readers highlighted flexibility, patience and tolerance and the need to take care of ourselves. Assistants discussed a range of topics, from the role gratitude can play in our lives to financial planning, and the importance of saving and being financially realistic.

“Enjoy the simple things in life that we often take for granted, yet mean so much: our health, family and friends, fresh air, nature and memories”

Thank you

I’m grateful to all who responded and, as you’ll see, readers opened up. One person said, “My social life was too manic. I’ve ‘welcomed’ the chance to slow down (although obviously not in these circumstances).” Another said, “I’m stronger and more resilient than I thought I was.”  Yet another echoed what many may feel, in writing, “I miss human contact with my family and friends. Zoom meetings are not the same connection as being in the same room.” One person acknowledged “feeling bone-achingly tired” around the same time another person wrote to say, “… taking a break to reset and refresh is 100% necessary and okay to do. The fact that one recognizes that they need that break should speak volumes to that individual’s self awareness.”

One person said, “I realised how little joy visits my life”, even as others acknowledged the importance of enjoying “today and now”, “the simple things”, “everything” and “today and now”. More than a couple of people highlighted simplifying life and, as just mentioned, enjoying the simple things in life.

I appreciate readers’ generosity in sharing personal insights, and am sending good wishes to all, whether you’re thriving, struggling, or somewhere in between. 

Awareness that others at the opposite end of a laptop screen, smartphone or even an actual table may be struggling is all the more reason to exercise patience, empathy and discretion, and some readers spoke to the significance of being supportive of others. One reader commented on proactively reaching out  “…  to family members and friends even if you don’t have a purpose, just to be social and to let them know that you care about them”.

“I’m also the mother to a premature baby, so I feel that I have the coping skills to make it through a premature baby, the NICU, 9/11 and COVID; well, I think I could handle anything at this point”

People are sometimes surprised to realise just how strong and resilient they are. Others learn how much they can cope with through experience, including crises such as 9/11, the loss of loved ones or the act of caring for others. 

You may find some comments particularly resonate with you. As the parent of two who went from toddlers to adults in what seems like the blink of an eye, I was happy for the reader who wrote, “Enjoy simple things – I’m grateful to have had more time with my kids, especially my son who turned 16 last December. At his age, I would not see much of him – just washing and making food – but we both enjoyed long talks, discussions, watching documentaries and studying together. My son also helped me with my work for ideas and keeping each other motivated.”

“I need to take better care of myself.”

In the words of one reader, “Community is everything!” Family and friends, self-care, gratitude, flexibility and resilience emerged as dominant themes. One assistant wrote, “Don’t miss the opportunity to go somewhere, hug someone, visit your loved ones (parents, children, grandchildren) and reach out when you need help.” Another suggested, “Keep positive and focused on what you can do, not what you can’t. Help others.”

Emotional intelligence

As I’ve been pulling together this article, it struck me that many responses reflected aspects of emotional intelligence. One reader wrote, “Self motivation is a must have skill. It helps me cope with these difficult times, and charges me with energy to support others.”

“I’m stronger and more resilient than I thought I was”

I speak about both emotional and cultural intelligence (EI/EQ and CQ) at conferences and in the webinar courses I deliver, as developing and honing such skills can benefit us both personally and in our careers. In some of my presentations, I remind people that, while we may be in similar waters, we’re navigating them from a variety of boats. One assistant voiced the same concept in saying, “We’re all in the same storm, but everyone’s boat is a little different.”

It was good to see readers reflect this awareness of self and others, and empathy for our fellow beings. Assistants also asserted the need to ” look after yourself and your wellbeing”.

Do others’ lessons hit home?

Have a look at comments, below, from your counterparts across sectors and borders. One reader reminded us that,” As the saying goes, ‘Your resume should not be your obituary’.” Which lessons are particularly meaningful to you?

How will we apply these lessons?

Even more importantly, how do we put these hard-earned lessons – or affirmations of things we already knew –  to good use? You’ll find readers’ responses below, grouped in themes. Going forward, how will you apply these lessons or affirmations? Feel free to post a comment or share this article with your plans as we work through the balance of this pandemic and make our way through our redefined futures.

Want to catch up on other articles I’ve shared about working through this pandemic?

For all my pandemic-related articles, including strategies and tips readers have shared,  follow drop-down menus (REAL CAREERS/WELL INFORMED/ COVID-19) or simply enter “covid” in the search field on this page. 

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