PIVOT: Making Smart Choices In The Days Of Uncertainty

12/11/2020

PIVOT: Making Smart Choices In The Days Of Uncertainty

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No-one could have pinpointed the enormity of a worldwide COVID pandemic crash landing earlier this year. Sure, the experts and scientists knew that some type of pandemic germ attack was bound to happen. Even Bill Gates talked about our unpreparedness for a germ outbreak in his 2015 Ted Talk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Af6b_wyiwI). Yet the invisible virus snuck into our homes, workspaces, and modes of transportation, infected more than 70 million people, and killed nearly two million lost souls worldwide as of this posting. The devastation has been unimaginable, painful, and life-changing. And with so many people now working from home (WFH) using video conferencing platforms like Zoom, our communities have had to ramp up to meet the needs of our current reality.

If you think that life will snap back to "normal" early next year when a few million people are vaccinated, think again. Yes, 2021 will undoubtedly become a year of recalibration; but the recovery timeline may expand many months into our future. Based on what the experts, scientists, researchers, and business leaders say, the United States and much of the world won't ride out this pandemic until the second half of 2021, perhaps well into 2022.

Before you scream in agony, think again. Instead of passing out from exhaustion, now is your time to PIVOT.

Channel your energy and concentrate on surviving, strategizing, and steering your efforts toward a NEW beginning in 2021.

PIVOT POINTS to PONDER:

The 2021 world will NOT retrofit into a 2019-2020 pre-COVID mindset. Those days are gone, and we are NOT going back to the past.
Some workers (worldwide) will NOT return to the office as they knew it in past years. Some companies are shrinking their commercial office space by as much as 25% and preparing for a portion of their staff to permanently work from home.
You can no longer afford to ignore technology. Your very job may depend on it. Bragging about not knowing how to operate video conferencing platforms like Zoom could cost you a job, a business contract, or a choice project or career assignment.

PIVOT FORWARD

The action word is PIVOT. Finding the path that allows you to turn, rotate or spin forward should be an important priority for you as 2020 shifts into 2021. Whatever your fears, disappointments, or obstacles were for this year or last year, put them behind you and PIVOT toward 2021.

Here are 10 WAYS that you can PIVOT forward in 2021.

Take 4-5 classes on Zoom or whatever your video conferencing platform happens to be. The more you take classes, the smarter you'll be. Many of those classes are FREE online, including my FREE Zoom Tutorials offered four times each month. (www.zoombycarole.com)
Improve the way you look with online sessions. Make sure you have adequate lighting, and think about investing in an external camera and external microphone.
Build new relationships with people outside of your normal circles at work. Join a special task force or volunteer for that special assignment that will help you meet new colleagues at work.
Brush Up Your Resume. No matter what your situation, you need to have an updated resume at all times.
Create your own 2-minute pop-presentation about your family and your background. Share this history with your colleagues or new staff on your team.
Don't internalize criticism or constructive feedback from others if it is given in the spirit of truth and sincerity. Learn to use this valuable information to improve yourself both on and off your job.
On the other hand, disregard, eliminate, and throw out negative sarcasm, criticisms, or personal attacks on you, your character, and your reputation.
Keep up to date on current events, even those that involve politics. The more informed you are, the better you can address the issues we're facing in this world. Ignorance is not bliss!
Take a few free online courses or low-cost courses. Websites like www.udemy, or coursera, offer low costs courses to help expand your thinking.
Learn a new language so that you can communicate with others around the globe. There are many ways to learn from software packages like the Rosetta Stone to using the BBC.website to sharpen up your language skills. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages)

And A Bonus

11. Stop making the Imposter Syndrome your best friend! Start believing in yourself and make a list of your strengths and talents.

PIVOT FORWARD, use these 10+ steps, and get ready for a brand new you who's ready to take on the world in bite-size chunks! Don't look back! You have what it takes to move forward!

-Carole

12 Comments

Teachercarol29

12/12/2020 01:59:37 am

Thanks Carol, I am reading this at 7:15AM on Saturday morning when everyone else is still asleep, 4 little ones. Your comments are so real and pungent but they grieve me because I know they are true and I am a teacher for children with Special Needs where one on one contact was so touted, now many of my colleagues can't even find their students. I do believe working adults need to hone their skills but we can't ignore the "touch" factor that has been eroded by this disease. I will heed your words and learn to PIVOT and encourage my friends to do the same but I must find a way to "touch" lives and change futures for our most vulnerable populations.

Carole Copeland Thomas

12/13/2020 12:57:18 am

Dear Carol,

You bring up such a valid point about the need for one to one connections, including the "touch factor" with special needs students. My younger daughter works with this population as a longtime paraprofessional and just accepted a new job in a new school district working with these significant young people.

It pains my heart to read your comment that virtual learning has driven away these students in certain communities. Our hope and prayer are that the vaccines' distribution will accelerate our ability to "reconnect" sometime next year. In the meantime, we will keep praying as we continue to wear our masks and socially distance from one another. -Carole

Mattie Deed

12/12/2020 03:24:17 am

Carole, Early Morning Rising! It's 2:25 and I have so much on my mind but your article, Pivot, "Making Smart Choices in Days of Uncertainty is fascinating and factual!
These unprendented times we must Re-imagine our work, and social and daily living to cope with COVID-19 by products of "INTENTIONAL ISOLATED LIVING APART FROM OUR LOVE ONES AND OUR FRIENDS. It's a mammoth adjustment to cope and survive in this Pandemic and yet we must! My youngest beloved daughter, Nieisha Deed has Lived Experience with Suicided (she's the Founder of PureSpark); she's unapologetic, authentic and intentional about SELF-CARE, recognizing the triggers, mood swings and practice mindfulness in various forms. She has a weekly Wednesday Podcast and was recently featured in The Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/06/nation/how-can-you-say-no-family-during-holidays-with-kindness-experts-urge/!

Seasonal Depression is real and many are impacted by it! Learning to cope during these uncertainties are critical to re-imaging new ways for being with our families and friends using virtual media. However many will not be able to do this due to limited computer access but also how to use the computer!

Nieisha also has a weekly Podcast providing many aspects of self-care with guest presenters who are excited to be on live with so many diverse participants to share vital life saving information. Here's the link for her Podcast: Peer Support x PureSpark Tickets, Wed, Dec 9, 2020 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite!

I appreciate your sharing insight around this Pandemic because not one of us have all the information or the answers and we learn as we move forward! I am so thankful for surviving, thriving and enjoying life because when I was so overwhelmed by COVID-19 then the horrific murder of George Floyd, Breanna Taylor, Emmitt Till came in my heart and when I found myself in this dark place, but I believe in the power of prayer; I fed my faith, and then my daughter, Nie came to my rescue; she sent me self-care tools, in house body massage, cooked for me 3 exquisite meals fit for a 5 star restaurant, (she spent 15 years in top Corporate Financial Investment 500 Fortune Companies, travel the world, earned more than 6 figured income) every day; she encouraged me to move around the house while working remotely and take walks outside!

Then God answered my prayers, a new President and Vice President Elect, then my Joy was renewed by creativity and new found ZOOM presentations on mental illness and coping with isolation....I found new ways to encourage myself and connect with people daily in various ways using social media; I am now very literate (your Zoom class was very helpful) in ZOOM, FaceTime, LinkedIn, FaceBook, Google Meet, Go To Meet; I established new partnerships in my beloved Roxbury all by PIVOTING!

Thanks Carole because this is the title for a new poem I am writing today to speak it out loud on the 22 for our elected City Councilor! I concur with you that we must make smart choices during these uncertain times, but RE-IMAGINE infinite possibilities of doing new things! I realized how blessed we are to be alive, how we are able to be present for our families more than ever before; we have deepen our friendships and become more mindful of others and what we do going forward will provide a roadmap for generations to come!

I have always believed that my life is purposefully driven to inform, teach and share information with the public. As a Financial Coach/Career Specialist, I was recently Recognized by our Honorable Mayor Marty J. Walsh on my outstanding work for the year during COVID-19, for my years of dedicated services to helping countless others to set and achieve their financial, educational and employment goals. The Official Citation came for my Birthday Celebration, Saturday, December 5th when I turned 70 Years Young!

We are Resilient, we are Strong and above all of it, We Are Blessed by the BEST!

12/13/2020 01:07:13 am

Dear Mattie:

What a heartfelt commentary you have written! The love you have for your daughters is self-evident. And the work that Nieisha is doing is admirable.

YES, one of the BIG issues with COVID, working from home (WFH), and social distancing is its impact on mental illness. I believe that the COVID team under Biden-Harris is already addressing this, and I encourage you and your daughter(s) to reach out to his team to express yourselves.

CONGRATULATIONS on your award from Mayor Marty Walsh. You truly deserve it!!!

-Carole

Patricia Williams

12/12/2020 04:30:11 am

As I read your most encouraging information, at 3:26 12-12-2020. Which was greatly appreciated sometimes we can focus on the negative and forget all about there’s positive things that we could be doing 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Roberta green

12/12/2020 06:15:14 am

Thanks Carole, for such an insightful and much needed read.

12/13/2020 01:10:28 am

You are most welcome, Roberta!!

-Carole

12/13/2020 01:09:49 am

Patricia, Pivoting forces us to embrace the possibilities in our lives. We'll look back on this era and realize that we were forced to take a new path of action...in many ways making choices never thought possible!!! Embrace your PIVOT!

-Carole

Nadia Taylor

12/12/2020 08:33:02 am

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights about Pivoting. I was pondering these same thoughts over the past week. Wrote in my journal about it all just to see what I was thinking and how to use it all going forward into 2021 with God spearing life. Looking forward to more of your insight and thoughts

12/13/2020 01:12:30 am

Great minds think alike, Nadia!! Continue writing in your journal, just like I do every morning. And through all of the pain and suffering we're experiencing because of COVID, there will be brighter days ahead. No doubt!

-Carole

william dunham

12/12/2020 09:24:35 am

Carole as always - you open doors for all.

Like you- I enjoy exploring new pathways and this
morning your use of Pivot came up with two KEY
points I found to help from your friendly guide -
thank-you!

" Pivot or persevere, that is the question?"

" How often to re-prioritize your vision list?
Every quarter is optimal, every year is not
often enough, and anything in between will do.

Merry Christmas- Happy New Year - bill

12/13/2020 01:15:27 am

Bill, thank you for your wisdom and unending support. We all have to PIVOT in a way as we embrace the uncertainties and opportunities of 2021.

Love your rhetorical questions that we all need to ponder.

Stay safe throughout the holiday season.

-Carole

PIVOT: Making Smart Choices In The Days Of Uncertainty

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