What 2020 Is Trying to Show Us
So as we are entering mid way through 2020, I’m just finishing a Revenue Breakthrough Intensive program with 15 amazing business owners. And one of the women spoke of something I think we can all relate to.
She said, “Monica, I started this year with a plan for the first time ever. I felt like I was so ready. I took risks. I even had a good month in January and February. And then this pandemic hit and I lost myself. It even brought up symptoms of PTSD that I thought I had worked on.”
The entire group was nodding. I too could relate. When the pandemic hit, it was like I forgot who I was. What I was good at. I started to question for the first time in 10 years if I even had anything to offer. It took a few weeks to ground myself in the new normal. And now I’ve found that, I haven’t found the “old Monica,” but I’m slowly working on uncovering a new one.
As the pandemic cools its fires (at least in some states), today we are being asked to step up and deal with the systemic racism and inequality which runs rampant across the country.
A question you may be asking is why – why all of this at once? Why now?
Clearly there is a bigger plan for us this year. A plan that includes more than just hitting our goals or staying safe in life as usual.
It’s calling for a shake-up.
A shake-up of everything that isn’t working.
A shake-up in how we have gotten so busy.
A shake-up in how we relate to our families – I mean if there were family problems before this – we’ve had plenty of time to become more aware of them. And if there weren’t, then this time has been for learning even better ways of being together.
A shake-up in the time we spend with ourselves. I certainly have had deeper thoughts then ever before and more time to have them.
A shake-up in how we run our businesses and letting go of offerings that no longer work.
A shake up on the racism and inequality against black Americans and a call for education and sweeping, systemic change.
So as we move into this next period – we have been given a reason to change. And we can either embrace this change and be open to what’s coming next (because 2020 doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon). Or we can resist, try to wish it away, and look for a way to get back to the “peace” of “what was.”
This time is teaching us.
Teaching us to expand our containers to handle more.
Teaching us to stop tolerating structures that aren’t working on every level.
Teaching us to surrender and revel in the moment, because we don’t know what’s coming next.
As business owners, developing these skills will make us better, stronger, richer. They are deep and powerful lessons that we will remember for years to come. But only if we lean into them and are willing to roll with the unknown. Willing to let go of that which is not working. Willing to step up and into change.
This isn’t always easy, but know that we are in it together.
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