Love (and connection, learning and leaning) in the time of Coronavirus

“He allowed himself to be swayed by his conviction that human beings are not born once and for all on the day their mothers give birth to them, but that life obliges them over and over again to give birth to themselves.”
― Gabriel García Márquez, Love in the Time of Cholera

Oh how I’m thinking of you dear one in this time of grief,  and hardship. Worries are sky high while our very foundation feels wobbly and shaky.  Ambiguity and uncertainty have replaced confidence and sure footedness.

Annnnnd without discounting all of that, as it’s very, very real, for those of us who have food on the table, a roof over our heads and are (relatively) healthy, it’s also an opportunity to think differently, to act differently.

Let’s look for opportunity in uncertainty

I’m deliberately looking for ways to be of service and one of the best ways I can do that is through offering support, perspective and innovation in my offerings.

Specifically, offering you resources for these shaky times so your foundation feels a little firmer.  So you can continue to serve in the best way you know how.

You know I always end my posts/newsletters with:

‘Now go on and learn, laugh and lead.” 

Well this post is completely focused on those three things. Actually it’s the first of three posts.  

Ready?  Here we go

1. Resources to help you learn

Resources to expand your perspective, gain some footing in uncertain times, feel some sense of control and agency.

2. Resources to help you laugh

Things to exercise your funny bone, take a breath and giggle.

3. Resources to help you lead

Specifically resources to reach out to your community and connect, to bridge and create belonging.  Because we all work better when we work together.

Here is the first part of the three-part series, resources to help you learn.

Learn with me 

Here are some resources to again, expand your perspective, gain some footing in uncertain times, and feel some sense of control and agency.  I’ve divided them into resources for:

• Staying well: Mental health and self-care
• Dealing with change and uncertainty
• Getting and staying motivated during trying times
• Harnessing Tech Tools for Turbulent Times
• Getting stuff done (when you feel like pulling the covers over your head and staying in your PJs for a year)

Staying well: Mental health and self-care

1. Twenty-four little cards to rejuvenate you and your day; includes downloadable cards to help you pace yourself and take breaks.
2. The signs, symptoms of fire-itis and what to do about it – how to know when you’re spiraling and what to do about it
3. What trainers are missing & why it’s critical you have one (whether you teach or not) – how to create a customized self-care kit that really, really fits your needs
4. My wishes for you and your 2020, one for every month – some perspective on each  month of the year as we move through the quagmire 
5. Some Good News – John Krasinski’s compassionate, uplifting good news Youtube channel. Have some kleenex handy, as it’s a tear-jerker
6. Move that booty – access free online zoom classes with Mark Melasky

Dealing with change and uncertainty

1. What’s your change personality? Take this 3-question survey to find out and then be gentle with yourself as you ….
2. Change isn’t a four-letter word, but it can be an easy to use quadrant – use the quadrant tool to help you not feel so boxed in and find options where they might feel hidden.
3. Learning culture and change go together like peanut butter and jam – how to put a focus on learning so you feel some sense of control.
4. What we can learn from a butterfly’s struggle to escape its chrysalis – embrace the struggle even when it sucks.
5. Change – a playlist I put together to expand how we feel and think about change.
6. Celebration & inspiration – ditto but this one is all about celebrating and getting inspired. 

Getting and staying motivated during trying times

1. Which one of these 6 motivators drives you and why it’s important to know
2. Do you lean in or out? How to tell
3. Where are you on the will and skill matrix?
4. Lies perfection tells us
5. How gritty are you
6. This too shall pass

Harnessing Tech Tools for Turbulent Times

1. What’s your tech personality? Take this 3 question survey to find out
2. Seven tips for holding those online meetings you’re dreading
3. Tips on how to use Zoom
4. Tech tools inspiration youtube playlist
5. Tech tools; From overwhelmed to organized
6. Security settings with Zoom

Getting stuff done (when you feel like pulling the covers over your head and staying in your PJs for a year)

1. Learning environment survey
2. How you can use storytelling to defeat evil from Storytelling Master Marsha Shandur
3. Confidence to do to done survey
4. Kids handwashing
5. Change up your perspective; a message from the virus
6. Be gentle with yourself; take it one day at a time with Bella’s philosophy

Dive in to the topic that calls to you most in this time of learning whether it be:

• Staying well: Mental health and self-care
• Dealing with change and uncertainty
• Getting and staying motivated during trying times
• Harnessing Tech Tools for Turbulent Times and/or
• Getting stuff done (when you feel like pulling the covers over your head and staying in your PJs for a year)

Whichever you choose, be gentle with yourself, stay well and safe and know I’m thinking of you.

Stay tuned for next week’s post on resources to help you laugh, and the week after, for resources to help you lead. 

P.S. Let’s stay connected. Free weekly coaching by email on how to use humanity and humor to problem solve, right here.