With the onset of spring on March 19, 2020 and COVID-19’s unprecedented appearance and disruption to what “normal” once was, “spring” was quite altered from what I’d expected.
For me, there was certainly a feeling of sadness and grief associated with the postponement of amazing “in-person” contracts, gigs, speaking engagements and workshops. As per Kubler-Ross Model of the stages of grief – and not in a linear order – I moved through denial, anger, depression, bargaining and ultimately acceptance. By early April, I was exhausted with social media updates and the complete uncertainty surrounding this situation. I meditated on what the healthiest option was for me – and, it was to expect that in-person coaching and training was unlikely to be an option, or return to a semblance of what “normal” once was, until September at the earliest.
Shortly after acceptance, I moved into “meaning making,” of this untimely impact on business. I launched Infinity on November 2, 2018 and 2019 was a successful year, in which I reached six of my seven business goals. Specifically, the goal of work / life balance took a bit of a backseat in the last six months of the year; however, having talked with other business owners, that was quite normal. Not normal: No one tells you to integrate pandemic contingency measures in your business plan. In my acceptance, I recognized that although there was an impact on cash flow, I had been given a gift of time … to discover; learn; manifest.
Klaus Schwab, Founder & Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum commented: The pandemic represents a rare but narrow window of opportunity to reflect, reimagine and reset our world.” The spring season allowed me to dive deep into research and professional development, and led to (not shocking) the discovery and creative implementation of virtual coaching and training – one that I would NOT have introduced to my repertoire otherwise. Virtual services have ended up being a “blast” of fun! They are new service options in complement to the “COIVD-19 compliant” in-person group workshops and one-to-one coaching that Infinity offers and will be re-introducing in July.
Everything has a season. Infinity is excited to embark on the summer season with a refreshed direction.
Is there one way in which you have reflected upon, reimagined or reset your direction as we enter the summer season?
Until next time:
© Infinity Chronicles – a Blog – of Infinity Career & Development Consulting
Researched & Written by Founder & Career Coach
Kimberley (Kimmie) Halwas, B.A., CACE, CMR