This past week, we've been faced with an unprecedented crisis – the coronavirus crisis – and I want to take this time to shed some light on how I handle crisis…
It was a Thursday afternoon, two days before I turned 12, when my dad lost his battle to cancer. He had only been sick a couple weeks – and while my mom and other grownups may have seen it coming – I was completely blind sighted.
I could tell you everything about that afternoon: The call I made to him at the hospital, my grandma picking me up shortly thereafter, the call she received later that evening, the way she looked at me as she heard the news.
I can still feel the pavement under my feet as I ran 6 blocks to my BFF, Christine's house. The rest is a blur, through tear filled eyes and hysteric cries.
The next morning, a Friday, I boarded the school bus like it was any other day…
I had a fellow 6th grader question the love I had for my Dad.
“If you loved him – how could you possibly return to school the very next day?”
I've got news for you:
There is no right or wrong way to cope with crisis.
So as we are now socially distancing and sheltering in place I want you to know that no matter what you are feeling… it's okay. You are justified.
And just like when I said my final “good-bye” to my dad before hanging up the phone minutes before he took his last breath… the way I am coping now is to keep things as “business as usual” as possible.
That's why you will continue to see me produce blog and podcast content that will help you build and scale your business. I believe that if business slows down, the best use of that “extra” time is to analyze your metrics and begin to make new business plans.
Now, you certainly may see some coronavirus-related content going forward – because it's our new reality, and we can't hide from that.
But, I can not (and will not) stop producing the content that I love to dwell on the things that I can not change. Which is why I am going to do everything in my power to continue business as usual as much as possible, for me.
Now, more than ever, we need our virtual communities to help us through these uncertain times.
I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy – and that you're coping in the way that is the most comfortable for you!
We will get through this together. I believe that!