One consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak around the world and our resulting change of routines is that we’ve all been forced to become more creative in how we rise to face challenges. From creating face masks out of bandanas and hair ties to holding your wedding on Zoom, or finding creative ways to exercise or cook, we’re all finding new ways to address many aspects of our life; including our work. But we’ve probably all labeled certain things as “impossible” during this time. This week’s tip will encourage you to consider that the impossible may still be possible after all.
Many of us have worked on events or activities that have made the switch from in-person to online in recent weeks, from networking events to conferences and even conventions. But what are the things you’re used to doing in person at that you have decided just can’t happen during this new world of COVID-19? What’s one thing that just seems impossible to do online? Now what if you just… try it?
This past weekend, two of my children were due to be acting in a performance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Of course, the production was cancelled, but the actors and crew had all worked so hard on it, that instead they decided to switch to an audio production of the play! Later in the weekend, for my wife’s birthday, she had wanted to go line dancing. Again, that couldn’t happen. So instead, we set up a group line dance for 50 or so friends online, with a caller leading the dances for individuals and for groups! The caller had never done an online dance before, and everyone came in with a playful and experimental mindset; to give it a go and see how it went. As the caller said afterwards, “It epitomized the saying ‘when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.'” In both situations, the original plans were impossible. So now ask yourself, what’s a project you’d like to be doing (or had planned to be doing) that now seems impossible?
This week’s tip:
Try the “impossible.” When the circumstances have changed and the original result is no longer an option, this doesn’t mean that you can’t still fulfill the original intention. Focus on the original intention of the project, and try it out in a new format. Exercise a lot of grace for yourself and others, and invite people in with an experimental mindframe. If you need some inspiration, try a group folk dance!
Try this out this week, and let us know how it goes in our Facebook group! We’d love to hear from you. As always, you can subscribe to our feed here, or sign up for our weekly newsletter to get these articles directly in your inbox.
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