A time for reflection and learning

Tuesday 17^th March 2020 – what a day that was! 

….and it wasn’t because I was celebrating St Patrick’s Day!!

Tuesday 17^th March was probably the day when I gathered that the UK was indeed going to be hugely affected by COVID-19. It was the day that everything seemed to turn upside down at Key Appointments and it all seemed to happen within a couple of hours!

The week that followed is probably one of the biggest emotional rollercoasters I’ve ever been on and I know I’m not alone. Sure, we all go through the ups and downs in business, I’ve also been made redundant a couple of times in my career and like most people have dealt with family illnesses and bereavements. However, I don’t think that I’ve ever gone through anything like it in such a short space of time.

Now we’re a few weeks in, I’ve taken some time to reflect and think about what I’ve learnt along the way and I thought it would be good to document and share. I think that parts of this article will resonate with many of you and hopefully show that you’re not alone with your feelings during this lockdown period. Some of you may not have had the same experience, so I also hope that maybe in me sharing my “journey”, it might help you to identify what others i.e. colleagues, family and friends might have been / be feeling.

THE ROLLERCOASTER WEEK

As mentioned, for me it started on Tuesday 17^th March. I had been keeping an eye on the news and the spread of coronavirus in the days and weeks before this and I expected there may be some disruption but so far, everything had been continuing as normal. That was until the announcement on Monday 16^th came which mentioned the start of social distancing and that organisations should enable employees to work from home where possible.

We were having a normal start to the week and as we’ve worked remotely since 2013, there was no major change in how we work. I know many companies were under huge pressure and strain to try and get staff members set up working from home that week and there was no information around financial support available yet.

Then Tuesday came…

First there was CONCERN as the pipeline of interviews were cancelled and an offer of employment was unable to be made at this time (understandably) for a candidate we were representing. Also, there was concern for the candidates who were due to start roles and having to explain this would have to be postponed (who were all very understanding).

This then developed into PANIC. As placements start dates were postponed or not confirmed, this meant for us that future invoices would not be raised. My panic, like a lot of people was, “where was the pipeline of work going to come from?”

I then became FRANTIC (I thought it was determination at the time!), that we could replace the postponed revenue and help with the temporary opportunities out there. I could keep the team busy and this wouldn’t affect us. What I actually did was just run around in circles for a couple of days!

Then came WORRY – what if the outstanding invoices are not paid – what then? What about paying the team and suppliers further down the line? What if I can’t pay the mortgage and bills? What if this lockdown goes on for months, what then? Will I have a business left at the end of it all??

Like everyone else, there was also worry for family and friends, about them staying safe and if they were listening to advice. Worry about my clients and contacts businesses and jobs. I’m sure this is sounding familiar to many of you!

That Sunday I felt very LOW. I couldn’t go over to Liverpool to see my Mum and Dad and like many, didn’t get to see my Mum for Mother’s Day like planned. It was probably the day that I realised that it would be a while before getting to see family and friends again, to be able to go to bars and restaurants and also very likely that holiday we had planned in June was not going to happen.

Actually looking back, I was also probably exhausted from all of the emotions of the previous days.

Then came the following week. I had got through the panic and was no longer acting like a frantic fool however I then started to feel OVERWHELMED. Overloaded by the amount of information that there was coming in, about the virus, the financial support, moving networking meetings online and also handling the copious amount of marketing and information emails coming in.

It was because of this that I decided not to send out any planned marketing and newsletters. Most people were in the same situation and I felt the last thing they needed was more information to overwhelm and overload.

I decided to take the week as easy as possible so I could navigate and plan financially whilst also keeping in touch with my close network.

THE POWER OF SELF UNDERSTANDING AND AWARENESS

Towards the end of that week, one of my close contacts, Jennie-Kate from JK Changework shared a brilliant diagram with me, which I’ve included opposite. I couldn’t believe how much it helped. Not only did it help me to recognise the “journey” I had been on over that past week or so, but it also made me understand that some people move through the curve slower and quicker than others. I also realised that not everyone is going through the curve at the same time. Actually, the more I speak with people, I realise that the start of their change curve may have only just started.

So as another week started, I had got most of my ducks in a row and it brought me to the next phase and that was ACCEPTANCE.  

Understanding my own emotions and then allowing myself to accept the current situation has really helped me to move forward and have mostly good mental health. I’m not relishing where we are right now but I’ve accepted it. I’m learning every day and I don’t mean learning a new language or skill etc, but I’m learning about myself and what I can tackle and control each day and week.

WHAT I’VE LEARNT…SO FAR!

I need to point out these are things that I have personally found helpful, it might not be the same for you.

• We’re all in this together and there is help and understanding out there, you just have to speak to people.
• Structure is good but variety in the day is more important – also sometimes you just have to go with the flow!
• Stay in contact with people but also have time to breath in between – going from one call to the next without any space can be tiresome.
• You don’t need to worry if the Government is doing a good job or a bad job – everyone else will do that for you.
• If you can do something for someone else, do it – no matter how small it is, it not only helps the other person but will also make you feel good.
• Think of others more than you think of yourself, it stops you from being in the “why me” way of thinking.
• Listen to good news stories and often. It helps the mind focus on the positive more than it does on the negative. I recently subscribed to BDaily.co.uk which is full of good news stories from the business world in our region.

Finally, you only have control over the things you have control over! – it sounds strange but news, opinions, facts, conspiracies are all things that can increase frustration and anxiety. I therefore try to stop doing / thinking about anything that is not in my control.

As we continue on during this “lockdown” period, I’ve started to think about what I’m grateful for.…

My Husband James – Who is my best friend and partner in crime and makes me laugh every day. James is an Analyst for NHS England and has been working well into the early hours and at the weekend these last couple of weeks. He may not be a frontline worker but I’m really proud of the effort he puts in all the same.

A Great Team – Thanks so much Laura, Emma and Melissa for all you do and your support. I obviously recruited well ha ha! Actually, it definitely proves that values and attitude should be at the top of the list when it comes to creating an amazing team.

Technology – who wouldn’t be without Zoom! We’ve been interviewing via video platforms for a couple of years now, but I couldn’t be without them now for keeping in touch with family and friends too. It’s making social distancing that little bit easier to do.

My Network – I’ve been a member of BNI for 10 years now and the community element has always been important to me and my business however it’s now more than ever that I’m glad to belong to this great business community. If you would like to join an online video meeting to see how we can help you, just let me know.

My Accountant – Gavin McBride from Smith McBride has worked all hours to help his clients navigate every bit of information there is out there. I know he has helped his clients with cashflow, furloughing staff, securing finance and that’s on top of all the regular and statutory work that the team at Smith McBride do. Thank you for “checking in” and keeping me up to date.

My Garden – Wow, how thankful to have outside space. I think of so many people living in flats and apartments with no outside space during this time and my heart goes out to them. Doing some gardening is great for some time out and watching things grow is definitely satisfying. Fingers crossed, we will have some vegetables to eat in a month or so too!

My Neighbours – I know that there are so many people realising the great community they have around them. Our Friday night video quiz and Sunday coffee and cake mornings on the drive/front garden is certainly helping, Can’t wait for our front garden VE Day party we’re going to have on Fri 8^th May.

The NHS – How lucky are we to have this amazing organisation in our country. It’s sometimes taken for granted and also we have heard moans and groans about it. We are so, so lucky - all you have to do is look at some other countries out there to see this.

Our Clients and Suppliers – We know that everyone is experiencing difficult times, some more than others and some in different ways than others. I want to thank you for your support, and we will help each other through this and out the other side.

The Coronavirus Survival Crew - That's the renamed WhatsApp Group for my group of girlfriends. Thanks for the posts and laughs throughout the week and our occasional video drinks. You're an amazing bunch of Teachers, Nurses, Health Workers, Business Owners, Mum's and of course Friends.

My Family - we may not be able to see you but you are all safe and well and that's all that matters at the moment! 

The list is getting longer every day - there is a lot to be grateful for!

WHERE I AM NOW?

Although I have accepted where we are, that doesn’t mean that it’s plain sailing every day! There are low points, times of worry, moments of frustration, occasional boredom and also sadness when hearing of such losses.

But there is also hope, positivity, enthusiasm, happiness and laughter. There is a lot to be grateful for and a lot to plan for. There is light at the end of the tunnel and we get closer and closer each day to the time when this will be over.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article, it’s a lot more personal than the usual blogs and articles we write but it felt like the right time to do it. If I can help you and your business in any way, whether that be advice and support you may need from the advisors we know; help with a marketing or training project from our network of contacts; a vacancy you’re thinking of recruiting for in the future; or simply, if you just need someone to listen, then please get in touch.

Wishing you the very best in your business and that you and your family remain safe and well, at this time.

Keeley Edge - Managing Director

07943 116559 - keeley@key-appointments.co.uk