As social distancing restrictions start to relax, before we too caught up in the wave of returning to auto-pilot, worth taking a moment to reflect on our learnings and which of our new habits we wish to safeguard.
I entered into social isolation all bright eyed & bushy tailed, feeling motivated and enthused to invest myself into working on my business. Using the time to “practice what I preach” and using the ADAPT Way to structure my own resilient business. https://www.adaptbydesign.com.au/
So I have mirrored the work I have been doing with a client as Resilient Business Coach within my own business. Affirming my Purpose, Vision, Values and writing my Founding Story. https://dhmcoaching.com.au/meet-debbie/I have clearly articulated my Annual & Quarterly Objectives and what the Key Results will look like when I get there. Complimented by working with a Coach. I have been conscious of trying to more effectively represent myself on-line, (which by the way, is something that does not come naturally to me) including a refresh of my website, writing more regularly to maintain a LinkedIn presence, and reaching out for help with marketing. That all sounds quite good doesn’t it?
But a couple of weeks ago I got to a bit of a low point. Just like many small businesses, especially newly established ones, addressing the reality of my future pipeline of work; where is the next client going to come from, and what does that all mean financially. Doing battle with the ATO to register for JobKeeper was an exercise in frustration, that I am sure many can relate to.
As an introverted leader, usually very content with my own time, I have learnt something new about myself. There’s a limit of how much of my own time I can take! Realising that whilst I am a highly motivated, self- disciplined, positive person I also need that stimulus that we get from being around others.
Spending a lot of time in my own head, working on my own, on my own business has it’s downsides. I certainly miss the differing perspectives from bouncing things around with work colleagues, and am now relishing being able to meet people face to face over coffee again.
Reflecting on this period, 2 things jump out for me:
- The importance of staying connected. The mutual benefits of simply touching base. Social distancing in recent weeks has meant that to stay connected requires effort. Reaching out to someone you haven’t spoken to for a while, to simply check in and see how they are going. I know that I certainly appreciate being a recipient of it.
- The challenge is as we now start to get back to the old routines, to try and maintain some of our good new routines. Making more of an effort to stay connected with friends, family, networks is one thing I intend to make more of a priority.
- Going it alone can be tough and none of us have all the answers. There is so much value in seeking advice, support and input from others. Easier when you are in an office surrounded by people all day; not so easy when socially isolating or, you are the Leader within an organisation, or like myself a sole practitioner. You can only push the same thoughts around your head so many times!
- For me this means finding the right people to talk to – through simply picking up the phone to trusted colleagues within my network, continuing to catch up with my Coach at least once a month, and sourcing professional advice when I need it. I think sometimes the hurdle as Leaders is acknowledging that it’s ok not to have all the answers, swallowing our pride and simply asking for help. Inevitably, once we do, we wish we had done so earlier.
We need each other. We all need to belong, to have a sense that we are contributing to something bigger than ourselves; a purpose. And for most of us our connections with others help us to fulfill that purpose.
