You Establish Your Priorities

Here we are… huddled at home, social-distancing, frequently scrubbing our hands, becoming aware of how often we touch our face, while checking our phones for the latest COVID-19 updates. If you work from home, WebEx and Zoom meetings are nothing new, but now our children may be learning that way. And some are using the same technology just to stay connected with friends.

Depending upon your job, you may be working harder than ever. Or you may have much more time on your hands that you ever wanted. Some families grow closer while others crack under the financial strain. Heroes put their lives on the line, as code words are needed to get help to those in abusive relationships. Some leaders exemplify their role, while others make excuses. Some rise to the challenges. Wisdom and prudence and regard for others drive their actions. Some disgust and disappoint.

As of this writing, more than 1.2 million people have been confirmed* with the virus and 68,000 have died. The government response in the US continues to baffle with its inadequacy and refrigerated trailers are backed into the docks at urban hospitals.

So, what have we learned? Much, I hope. A few things seem universal right now. Firstly, we need each other. We need our family safe. We need to talk to our friends. We need to share and laugh and cry and touch. We need those neighbors we see on our walks. We need to pet their dogs. We need to look forward to weekend plans with those we love. Secondly, we take too much for granted. Frequent family dinners may illustrate how rare they were before. Those conversations across the table seem so much richer and important now. And touch… how often we hug and shake hands and pat backs and just let others know of our care and concern through little, overlooked gestures. Many jobs are being lost through no fault of those impacted and without regard to how hard they worked. When toilet paper is in short supply, we’re shocked by the absurd inconvenience. When ventilators are in short supply, we are afraid. Thirdly, it didn’t have to be this bad. Many experts in medicine & government expected just this scenario. COVID-19 has behaved in just the manner that epidemiologists anticipated. And feared. Claims of surprise by those in leadership only prove their willingness to ignore facts and hope that such catastrophes only occur after they have left their office. The US stock market had been on an 11-year bull run. It had to end. And soon. Years of stock buybacks ensured that corporations would have little cash on hand to weather a storm. Americans do a terrible job saving. Some have little to save and others spend for sport. At no level were we prepared. Again…

The most important lesson, I would suggest, is that you establish your priorities. Whether crisis or calm, you decide where the time, effort, and money go. When you are faced with challenges, you decide how to respond. You decide what you prepare for and what you do not. You decide who you call to check on and wish well. You decide what projects you work on, what future business ideas get considered, what books get read. You decide where family and friends and spirituality and exercise and learning land on your To-Do list. You decide if this time is wasted or maximized.

Yesterday, one my daughters and I went on a hike at a local park. We almost stepped on a snake, appropriately freaked out, and laughed until we cried. Last night, my adult son and I sat outdoors in lawn chairs. We enjoyed cigars and scotch as we just talked. In both scenarios, my children and I were reminded of the importance of that time together. Of the need to prioritize those that you love at the very top of that To-Do list. More hikes planned. More cigars ordered.

Establish your priorities. Take care. Now and always.

*Confirmed cases from Johns Hopkins tally around 2:00 EDT, 05 April 2020. Lack of testing, asymptomatic cases, and untrustworthy data from certain countries, all ensure that the actual numbers are much greater. God bless you and please be safe.