Working Through Tough Times
You may have noticed that I didn’t send out a newsletter last week (and if you didn’t, don’t worry, I forgive you 😉). There wasn’t anything major that happened in my life to necessitate this, but I needed that time to refocus. I canceled personal plans and got as many meetings off of my calendar as possible so I would spend time focusing on absolute priorities and nothing more. My walls went up and it was time to “protect the asset.”
Why? I’m sick. I mean this in a literal and metaphorical sense.
Literally, I’d been battling a stomach bug and refusing to take a sick day just to let myself feel better. Not my brightest moment, but on the other side and thoroughly sick of eating rice and toast, I can see how I could’ve handled this better in hindsight.
In the metaphorical sense, I think you can guess what I may be writing about. There are bigger things going on in the world right now, here in the United States where we experienced yet another mass shooting, and abroad where the conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to rage on.
I’m sick of seeing these atrocities and thinking to myself (and answering others’ questions) about what I should post on social media. It all seems so minuscule, so my answer for the most part is to stay quiet. For my clients, I’ve encouraged them where appropriate to share their personal feelings and views. All the while, wondering if I was leading them correctly.
Here’s the truth: There is no right answer.
As Frozen 2 tells us, the best we can do is “the next right thing.” Sometimes we have to turn back to silly things like that, to kids’ movies where many of us first learned some important lessons.
So I’ve sat here silently, trying to keep moving and keep the curiosity that I’ve written about here multiple times. Losing that means no longer bearing witness to those who deserve to not have to suffer in silence. I’ve sat here in horror looking at the news, feeling helpless at times, thinking my job couldn’t do anything to help them.
In the short term, it can’t. But in the long term, all of our voices mean something, and so while it isn’t always comfortable, using your voice is the key to weathering hard times.
Sometimes, using my voice is as simple as saying to clients (all week, feeling shameful about it), “I’m sorry, I’m behind, I know I owe you work.” Not one of them was demanding, unkind, or anything less than understanding. I’m lucky I work with great people and that shame was self-imposed (and has since dissipated, don’t worry!). Just as I got over my literal illness, slowly I know I will catch up and be able to move forward through my metaphorical illness too.
But right now, my next right thing was writing this. And saying it’s okay to be vulnerable in business. In fact, it’s encouraged, it allows you to show everyone just how human you are, and understand them on a new level. So here I am, sending this into the universe with a wish for an end to conflict and for peace. For wellness and healing on both sides. For joy to return.
Lesson Learned: Vulnerability is strength. Telling people you need a moment not only makes you stronger, but it also makes you a better person, business owner, and marketer.
For resources on how you can help out in these trying times, check out Moms Demand Action and this great article from NPR about How to Help Humanitarian Efforts in Israel and Gaza.
