You Do You (Especially in COVID-19 Lockdown)
There seems to be a debate running around the Internet right now. It has to do with the way we handle our COVID-19 lockdown time.
Some are touting the need to make the best use of downtime.
Learn a new skill.
Start a business.
Begin your website.
Some have even put a little bit of a guilt trip behind their encouragement.
This Tweet has seen a lot of traction lately.
If you are not starting a business, beginning a podcast, or learning to speak French – your problem is not the lack of time.
It’s a lack of discipline.
And I hate to break it to you. It's probably a true statement.
But, this is a traumatic time with unusual circumstances. A lot is going on in our corporate hearts, minds, and emotions. There is a global need for a lot of grace and space. And not just the kind of space afforded by social distancing.
And I do not disagree with either of these positions. They are both true. The problem is when we pit them against each other like a couple of beta fish. Grace and hard work can peacefully coexist, depending on context and frame of mind.
Some need a kick in the seat of the pants. Some people need encouragement to put their butt in the chair and do the work. And to those people, I say, "Yes, your problem is discipline and now is the time to defeat that dragon. You may never have this opportunity again.
You know who you are.
Some genuinely need to learn how to breathe. Just breathe.
Take a walk.
Ride your bike.
Hug your kids.
Pet your dog.
Take a minute to give yourself some space.
Take a minute to grieve a little.
Everything will come back to some kind of normalcy. It may not be the normal any of us have known in the past. We don’t know what normal will be. But we do know there will be a normal again.
My point here is this:
You need to do what you need to do.
Know yourself.
Know your needs.
Know whether you need to work a little harder or rest a little better. And don’t judge or feel guilt because someone is in a different place with different needs.
You do you. Because that's who you know best.
