English is funny. My dad said, "You don't want disgruntled employees." He added, "You want them 'gruntled.'" Is "gruntled" even a word? Actually, yes! It's just not used very often. It means, "pleased, contented." So we learned something new today. How about "plenish"? "Plenish" is an archaic word, meaning, "to replenish." So we have a word that uses the prefix "re-" to mean exactly what the original, "archaic" word meant. Who says progress is always forward?
"Replenish," was #189 of the 246 "re-" words I wrote last March (see https://bit.ly/3cf6Zzk) in search of potential Blog titles. March 2020 calls for replenishing, does't it? Everyone's on edge over the COVID-19 virus, with schools shuttered, events cancelled, and plenty of worry to go around. What can we do to replenish, to "supply what is lacking"?
First, take stock. What we do have that we can be grateful for? The first three items that come to my mind are: health, resourcefulness, and ability to choose how to respond. No one I know has contracted this virus, yet we're all affected. Thirty of 32 upcoming events at the Tokyo American Club have been cancelled, and all "in person" ACCJ events from March 2 - 15. Disruptive!
And yet, as far as I can know, all Ax Readers and loved ones are COVID-19-free. But is everyone worry-free? Far from it. Personally, I feel no more concern about catching this virus than the flu, and and next to no concern about dying from it.
I am healthy. If you are healthy, I hope you take stock and be grateful for your health.
On to "Resourcefulness." Twenty-five years ago, I took a Tony Robbins course that taught, "Resourcefulness is more important than resources." People bemoan lack (of money, staff, or maybe wine?) when what's needed is resourcefulness. The winning idea could be just around the corner. Let's use resourcefulness, along with time (you may even feel like you have *more* now) and imagination to create something new during this "crisis." I put "crisis" in quotes because I see it as human-manufactured; my own risk analysis suggests basic precautions are better than drastic moves, but as my good friend Eric Dahler says, "I have no control of the fears of others."
Which takes me right to the third item: Choice. Our ability to choose how to respond. Having gone through the 3/11 trifecta (earthquake, tsunami, nuclear disaster), SARS & MERS before that, and the Lehman shock in between, we know that business will eventually get back to "normal," or a "new normal." My biggest take-aways from all those messes were: 1) Keep moving; and 2) Be productive. I'm taking my own advice here and and will continue to write. If training sessions are cancelled, I'll finish my next book earlier than scheduled and will record some new music. I'll also be putting together workshops and offer coaching that people can attend via Zoom or Skype.
For now, I'll add a third take-away and self-admonition: "Waste ZERO time being worried." Worry doesn't work. Worry saps energy. Worry is a waste. And the best antidote to worry is the same as the antidote for fear: ACTION. If you feel like it, let me know what you think, and what *you* are doing to stay moving and productive. What actions are you taking?