LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD

At this time of year, I like to write an article that has a lighter feel yet contains powerful messages. However, this has been a period of great personal and professional challenge for most.

With this in mind, I want to start by reflecting on the issues brought to me over these ten months.

There has been a pattern of concerns raised by the pandemic, in particular
– homeworking
– social isolation
– managing relationships during lockdown

I have sought to bring these into my newsletters and blogs. It has been interesting to note how people often found it difficult to organise themselves and settle into homeworking but, once settled, wonder how they will return full-time to an office environment.

There are benefits to both: virtual work and meetings save time and money, while real teamworking (as opposed to virtual) is also vital to building social relationships.

It will be interesting to see how the pandemic shapes working lives in the years to come.

Despite the worrying loss of jobs, especially in retail, there are many posts advertised online. I have been struck by the proportion of clients coming for help with CVs and interviews and how many have successfully moved on. These and others have also used the opportunity of homeworking to develop their presentation skills, enjoying the privacy of online coaching from home to be able to prepare and practice.

I now send these motivational quotes to reflect this season that will be celebrated or coped with differently from previous years.

Kindness

Kindness has perhaps never been so important at a time when as a nation and a world people have struggled with separation from family and friends, many have experienced loss of those they love, of a job, of financial security. NHS workers are called on to go beyond what they could ever have imagined.

Here are some of my favourite kindness quotes:

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” (Oscar Wilde)

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” (Mother Teresa

“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly,and most underrated agent of human change.” (Bob Kerrey)