Are you in a rush to ring in the New Year?

Most people that I talk to can’t wait for 2020 to be over. They want to put it behind them, forget all about it, and start fresh on January 1st. While I completely understand this natural instinct, I want to encourage everyone to pause and reflect before rushing ahead. Why? Simply because there are lessons to be learned and reasons to be grateful, regardless of how challenging the year was.

Rather than sprint into the new year without looking back, let’s take a short pause and consider what we might want to thank 2020 for…

We were forced to slow down

Whether we wanted to or not, the rapid pace of our lives got the brakes applied when COVID-19 hit. Those of us who were constantly on the go suddenly found ourselves with canceled travel plans, changing work schedules, fewer outside distractions, and a lot more time at home, either alone or with our loved ones. That time at home has certainly been stressful and perhaps lonely for many; however, it also created space for new hobbies to emerge, home improvement projects to be completed, closets to be cleaned (and clothes donated), and lots of rescued pets. Family dinner became a thing again, old board games were dusted off, and we even saved money on our car insurance when we stopped commuting so much! What gifts did the slow down bring to you?

We were thrown out of our comfort zone

There’s no doubt that change is hard and that many of us are pretty resistant to it, yet we can thank 2020 for pushing us completely out of our comfort zones, both individually and collectively around the world. Our established routines went out the window and we were forced to step into uncharted waters. As disconcerting as this was (and still is!), so many of us were forced to grow and evolve in ways that we may never have imagined before. Some of us were forced to find new jobs; others learned to use new technologies (even my 81 year-old Mom learned how to use FaceTime!); many navigated new roles and responsibilities for parenting and educating their kids, and soft skills became critical for leaders at all levels to learn. Others learned how capable, independent, and resourceful they could be when they were forced to live alone and support themselves. Just as a butterfly emerges from a cocoon forever changed, we have all grown as a result of the challenges we faced in 2020. In what ways did you grow in 2020? What can you do to continue that growth in the new year?

We needed to learn new ways to connect and communicate

The isolation the quarantine thrust upon us forced us to figure out how to stay in touch from a distance (at least 6 feet apart, right?). We were no longer able to take advantage of the convenience of just dropping by someone’s desk or meeting up for a coffee to stay connected and we couldn’t gather our loved ones and friends together to celebrate or mourn life’s big events. Despite the challenges that this posed, we got creative. We learned to use Zoom and Teams and instant message became our go-to; we started writing old fashioned cards and letters again; we learned dance routines from TikTok and posted silly videos; we even hosted virtual game nights and happy hours with relatives and friends we may not have seen physically in years. What I appreciated the most was how down-to-earth and real everyone became in their communication; after all, how can you be anything other than authentic when you are dialing in to a zoom call from your toddler’s bedroom because that’s where the best wi-fi signal is in the house? What did you learn to do differently in communicating with others? What will you continue doing to stay connected?

We got to know our neighbors

While we hunkered down close to home, we had no choice but to get to know the people that lived around us. We saw videos of neighbors singing from their balconies together; shared our insider information about which stores were restocked with toilet paper and Clorox wipes; offered to pick up groceries for those that could not risk the exposure; and saw families out on walks or riding bikes together at all hours of the day. Many created small “pods” with other families to provide their kids with playmates and to share educational resources. Some neighborhoods (like mine!) even joined each other for outdoor workouts to try to stay fit and healthy throughout this crazy time. I can’t say enough about how fortunate I feel for having had the opportunity to forge new friendships and deepen many others with my neighbors in 2020. How about you? Did you create some lasting connections in your neighborhood too? Who surprised you with their kindness or generosity?

We realized what matters most

In my opinion, the greatest gift that emerged in 2020 is the awakening that we all received about how precious and fleeting our life and our health is. We learned very quickly not to take things for granted and we yearned to be with the people that we loved and cared for (even if they normally drove us nuts!). We realized how incredibly meaningful human contact is and how great it feels to give and receive a simple handshake, hug, or kiss on the cheek. Many of us took the opportunity to tell the people we care about just how important they are to us and have made a concerted effort to look out for one another, more than we ever did before. For those of us who lost loved ones and friends this year, we learned how important it is to cherish every day that we have together and to not to waste a moment of it. My wish is that this lesson will be something we never forget. Thank you, 2020!

As you wrap up the year and begin to look ahead, I encourage you to carve out a few minutes to capture your own personal thoughts. Don’t just think about them, actually write them down so you can take your own lessons learned into the new year with you. Better yet, download a free copy of my 2020 Reflections and 2021 Inspiration Guide and talk through the questions with your loved ones. You may be surprised at what a great conversation you can have and how powerful it can be to set your intentions for the new year before it even starts. None of us have a crystal ball to know what twists and turns 2021 will present us with; however, we can all decide right now how we want to navigate the road ahead.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones for a 2021 full of possibilities!

Create Greater Impact,

Dianne

Download the 2020 Reflections and 2021 Inspiration Guide here.