Make some memories today

April 2020

Can I ask you something?

What memories will you make today?

We wake up to worsening news on the global impact of COVID-19, jump into back-to-back web-conferences throughout the day, then binge watch Netflix at night to distract us from all of the stress. And another day goes by.

Our freedom to go wherever we want is gone, our businesses significantly impacted or permanently closed, our jobs lost, stock portfolios decimated, or heaven forbid one of us or our family members contract the virus. Anxiety, fear and frustration begin to creep into our lives. And once fear takes hold, we often go into self-preservation mode to protect ourselves and our families. A totally understandable response.

But guess what? We're going to get through this. It might be a few months or several months, but life will eventually get back to some semblance of normalcy. And 20 years from now, what stories will we have to share with our children or grandchildren about the global pandemic that we lived through? What stories will we share with future employees about how our company responded during this crisis?

For those familiar with American football, you are aware of the two minute warning when there is two minutes left in the game. Aren’t we always amazed at the progress a team can make when it has been down by 5 points for two quarters and somehow wakes up with 1:40 minutes left, drives all the way down the field to score and win? Why did they wait until the end to get motivated? What if they could have played the whole game with that kind of intensity?

Let's not live our lives like that. Let's not wait for our two-minute warning. Let's live every day like we are in our last two minutes, even while we are stuck at home.

Start your day with the antidote to anxiety: Gratitude

Be thankful for whatever you have. If you and your family are healthy: be thankful. If you still have a job: be thankful. If you don't have a job but have food, clothing and shelter: be thankful. Be thankful for the nurses, doctors, front line responders, grocery store workers - everyone who has to go out of the house to work: be thankful for their courage and service.

For the over-worked parents juggling working from home and now educating your children: be thankful for the time you have with them. Ask any empty-nester and they will tell you how quickly children grow up. Savor this extra time you have with them while you are not commuting into an office or traveling. Create some wonderful memories that they can talk about in the future with their kids.

Serve others

Great memories are being created by many businesses right now as they put their employees and customers ahead of quarterly results during this crisis. These business leaders know that the next few quarters are going to be horrid from a financial perspective, and shareholders should understand that by now. So they are using this time to get creative in how they take care of their employees and go over-and-above to care for their customers. THAT is what creates memories. THAT is what endears a customer to a brand. THAT is what creates loyalty and inspires their people to greatness. Put people first and profits second, and I guarantee you'll have the best of both.

And, don't let that type of thinking fade away with the virus. Let this be a time where your creativity in coming up with ways to better serve your people and customers become deeply embedded in your corporate culture.

Let's all create some great memories during this crisis. Twenty years from now, let's talk about how we used this time to catch up with family and old friends we haven't spoken to in years over virtual happy hours. Let's talk about the elderly neighbors we served by making sure they had what they needed on their porch so they wouldn't have to get out and increase their risk of contracting COVID. Let's talk about what we learned by taking the extra time to read or take an online class; or the instrument we learned to play, or the new habit we put in place. Let's talk about they way we over-served our customers in their greatest time of need.

We’ll get through this. Seize this day, be thankful and serve others. You’ll come out of this stronger and with some great memories to share.