DISRUPTION IS A GIFT

The COVID-19 pandemic is many things. It can be loss. Loss of livelihood, of education, routines, and tragically, even loss of loved ones. It can be uncertainty. Uncertainty of how to manage the present and of what will happen in the future. The pandemic is also a major disruption, and disruption can be a gift.

Many of the stories we hear about growth and success start with a major disruption. This can take the form of losing a job, having an accident, getting a divorce, experiencing a serious health condition, or losing a loved one. Disruptions of this magnitude bring many aspects of our lives to a halt, and that creates space for asking ourselves challenging questions and gaining new perspectives.  The external disruption can be a powerful catalyst to internal change.

Before COVID-19, the last major disruption in my life was when I faced total burnout. I had been driving hard in all aspects of my life since the birth of my second child. Managing a demanding executive role, caring for my two children, supporting the care of my paternal grandmother, and pursuing my personal interests left me exhausted and depleted. I couldn’t push myself any harder, and I decided to quit my job. It was an extremely low point, but the beginning of a higher one. I started my own business as a coach and consultant. It sparked a time of high creativity, engagement, and joy. The disruption of burnout was a gift, and an opportunity.

If you accept the idea that disruption is a gift, the question becomes “How will you use it?”

Some questions to get started:

• What is the disruption of COVID-19 teaching me about what’s most important?  What seems
  less important than it did before? What seems more important?    

• Which habits or routines have changed due to COVID-19? What do I miss from the old routines? What don’t I miss?

• If everything went back to “normal” tomorrow, what would I miss from the new habits or routines?

• With all of the changes, what new things have I tried? What have I thought about trying (or picking back up)?

• What has COVID-19 taught me about my relationships? How have my daily interactions with loved ones changed?

Big changes are hard to make on your own.  A coach can be a great partner in finding out how you want to use the gift of disruption and mapping out the steps to go after it.  To learn more, sign up for a free exploratory session.