Finding inspiration in uncertainty
Lately, I’ve been talking a lot about uncertainty.
Leaders ask me what they need to know about continuing to operate in a rocky economic climate. About continuing to do what’s best for their people while reading about hiring freezes and layoffs one day and the U.S. returning to pre-pandemic unemployment rates the next. About continuing to persevere and be engaged and find inspiration despite our resilience reserves being more than tapped out.
As I’ve been reflecting on all of this, I’ve often thought back to 2009. That was the year Student Maid became officially incorporated, and as you know, it was also right smack in the middle of the Great Recession.
I didn’t realize it then, but starting a business in the middle of a recession was freeing. I didn’t have anything to compare the business to pre-recession, so I wasn’t focusing on a loss of business or numbers going down. Instead, I celebrated growth with every dollar earned. When I hit roadblocks and obstacles, I went back to the drawing board and tried another idea until one worked. The challenges inspired me and kept me passionate. 2009 would become a pivotal year that built Student Maid’s foundation and allowed the company to carry on for more than a decade.
Looking back all these years later, I can see that our 2009 numbers were quite small. Barely enough to make ends meet. In fact, I had to babysit to earn extra money on the side. The growth that we had then is nominal compared to our growth in the company we have today. But in that moment, I didn’t know that. The only direction I knew to look was up.
2020 felt a lot harder. Within a week, both of our businesses changed. We made the decision to stop cleaning to keep people safe, all while keeping our team paid and employed. And at the same time, all of our speaking and training contracts were either postponed or canceled. I felt fear. I felt the weight of the responsibility of taking care of our people and keeping our businesses in business. I now had numbers to compare to, and I feared a drop in those numbers and in growth.
But what’s also interesting about 2020 is that it became the most defining year yet for both businesses.
It was in 2020 that our leadership development company had more growth than any year we’d been in business. When the pandemic hit, we quickly pivoted to virtual work, honed in on relevant topics, introduced our coaching groups, and launched the Human Leadership Program. It was also in 2020 that we made the decision to transition away from cleaning and go fully into the leadership development space.
When I think about what it was in 2020 that led to these results, I can see elements of the mindset I had in 2009. When I wanted to look behind, I looked ahead. When I wanted to compare, I told myself I was writing a new story. When I failed and it was frustrating, I reminded myself to get up and try again. When I felt fear, I reminded myself that I could still make an impact and that no obstacle could take that away from me. When I felt like I wanted to give up, I gave myself permission to rest and promised to try again tomorrow.
The conditions in 2009 and 2020 were very different. And yet, there is one common thread: Pressure and uncertainty created an environment to thrive.
And so, no matter what you may feel right now amidst so much uncertainty, I want you to remember that it is SO possible to thrive. It is SO possible to look back one day on THIS time and have the ability to say that it was the MOST defining, pivotal time in your life and your work yet.
The thing about uncertainty is that it gives us permission. To try new things. To pivot. To leave what isn’t working. To take risks. To invent.
It doesn’t mean that uncertainty is easy. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel scary. It doesn’t mean it isn’t exhausting. It doesn’t mean we don’t have days when we feel overwhelmed and stuck.
As it usually goes with human emotions, it doesn’t have to feel either this way or that way. You don’t have to pick a side. You can feel it all at once.
Most of all, remember that this is your story. You get to write it, and no matter what happens, nothing can take that away from you.
And, should you have days when you feel overwhelmed, know that you aren’t alone. When I have those days, I find myself referencing the lessons that came out of the last couple years. Maybe a refresher will help you, too: Aligning expectations with reality, finding your own pace, giving yourself permission to pivot, and living in the question.
I’ll end with a poem I read a lot in 2020 that centered me and grounded me. It’s written by my friend Nathan Collier. It helped me so much then, and maybe it will help you today . . .
THERE IS THIS PLACE
And then it happens…
A morning dawns and you realize that all is good.
All is as it should be.
Your mind is calm.
Your soul is at rest.
Your heart is open.
Your spirit is serene.
Your thoughts lead you forward.
Your vision is clear.
There is harmony.
You’re at peace.
At peace with who you are.
At peace with your life,
At peace with where you’re headed.
At peace with the pace of life.
At peace with not being perfect;
At peace with things not always being or working out perfect.
Content, at least for the moment, with progress;
Content, at times, to simply allow things to unfold.
Content, on occasion, to simply be the observer.
You like this place.
You resolve to remain therein.
If you wander (and it happens)
You know it exists.
You know the path back.
You know you have the power;
No matter the outside world
You have the power to choose to be in this place.
– Nathan S. Collier
Big hugs, and here’s to writing our stories together,
Kristen
WHILE YOU’RE HERE . . .
Need help staying centered in uncertain times? Try our What’s in Your Control? resource. It’s a super simple exercise that will remind you to set realistic goals, stick to your boundaries, and focus on only what you can control.
