Springing Forward: Life Lessons From Lockdown

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Like a lot of us, I’ve spent the last year doing remote project work across multiple clients, teams, cities, countries and coasts, all while living and working in the same space. I’ve learned a ton about what works and what doesn’t work in trying to stay productive, effective and sane. And I’ve defined some ground rules that have helped me get things done - at work and at home - that I’m hoping to bring with me into the world that is emerging post-pandemic.

As we all spring forward and start to come back to life, I thought I’d share these in case they’re helpful to anyone else:

  • Slay the dragon. Face the thing you’re most afraid of first. Putting it off by tending to other tasks only makes the monster grow.

  • Hit the one in the middle: In Rocky 4, Rocky is getting his head handed to him by Ivan Drago and tells his corner, “I see three of him out there.” Unlikely sage Paulie quickly replies: “Hit the one in the middle.” Do what you can do first, don’t try to do it all at once. Keep punching, make little dents.

  • Respond to the day, don’t try to make it respond to you. Stay fluid, adaptive and creative. Don’t force structures. keep moving and moving forward.

Let’s do this thing.