My learnings from 2020
It is with great pleasure that I share my learnings from 2020 with you because, even though this year has been complicated, even difficult or trying for some of us, I chose to focus on the positive aspects of this crisis. Indeed, every crisis allows for the emergence of change for those who are ready to accept it and transform it into an opportunity!
This period in particular allowed me to accelerate digital transformation, like many of you! Despite a period of great fatigue at the end of October, a consequence of Covid which confined me to bed for two weeks, 2020 did not prevent me from continuing to work on personal, athletic, and professional projects. I even learned—or rediscovered—that it is possible to go beyond one’s dreams: I had the joy of sharing in the happiness of close friends who experienced extraordinary events, such as the adoption or birth of a child under unforeseen circumstances…
1. Family and health first
The question is simple: “Did you manage to stay close to the people who matter to you despite the circumstances? Did you take care of your health? Did you optimize it in order to be as resilient as possible in the face of the pandemic? Did you exercise?” Whatever your answer, put even more intention, more caring into it, and be even more committed to building and maintaining your well-being in 2021.
Above all, do not judge yourself and don’t be too hard on yourself if you feel you haven’t done enough. There is always time to catch up. I had the “luck” of meeting an exceptional fitness coach, a former world champion in Thai boxing, and thanks to the training I now do with him, I am achieving physical feats: I reached my goal of 4 consecutive minutes of planking, and I will soon smash it to reach 5, then 6 minutes!
You can also choose to celebrate freedom, the joy of life, and being fully yourself with your chosen family. For my part, even though large gatherings were not possible due to Covid, I still enjoyed the support of a small circle of close ones whom I hold in my heart—inspiring, extraordinary people whom I love and who love me as I am, even with my little touch of madness.
2. Update your well-being and productivity rituals
Meditation, any form of physical exercise, positive affirmations, learning through reading, intermittent fasting, dietary supplements such as fish oil and blueberries for vision, or zinc which plays an important role in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, vitamin intake… Whatever your needs or desires, learn to listen to your body and take care of it to reach your goals with greater peace of mind.
In 2020, I reduced meditation, which I found too difficult during this period, and practiced less yoga in order to strengthen interval training and boxing. I needed to let off steam and cultivate my warrior side.
At work, I rediscovered a different sense of time with the acceleration of change, and I took the time to define my professional vision for the next fifteen years. By projecting myself into this stimulating future, I was able to formalize my OKRs for the first half of 2021 as well as my training needs for the years to come.
3. Nurture your relationship communities
Throughout 2020, more than ever, all my groups of friends—whether from my personal or professional life, with former colleagues or clients, or from yoga—REALLY MATTERED to me. If your heart-friends are, as mine are, a priority in your life, then this year was both very difficult and joyous when we were able to reunite to celebrate life.
I am especially grateful to my partner, my daughters, my friends, and my clients—all these people who kept me motivated on the days when things were complicated. Thank you all, you truly matter to me!
As a result, this year I want to take another step forward in my work and strengthen the collective through organizational coaching, with the support of a larger team and new partners.
4. Have confidence
To have confidence is to believe in one’s ability to accept and to understand. Do you usually question your willpower or your need to understand, or do you give up easily? I spent much of 2020 supporting my clients in regaining confidence in themselves, in their organizations, or in finding meaning in their actions, because the crisis was deeply destabilizing.
I thus reinforced my identity as a coach, supervisor, and crisis entrepreneur—with my “caring”/inclusive side paired with my inner warrior who knows how to support clients during difficult times. Moreover, I have recently begun supporting board members with atypical profiles for me (some of them from trade union backgrounds). This new aspect of my work allows me to explore governance issues, whether in mutual organizations or private groups.
5. Build and invest, don’t wait
Many of us continued to work during the crisis while some sank into gloom and drowned in their pessimism. Many continued building while others preferred to ignore the situation by spending their time watching Netflix series. Meanwhile, others chose to invest or commit themselves when an opportunity arose. We are all responsible for our choices, which affect our mindset, and it is up to us to decide whether we prefer to see the glass half-empty or half-full.
For me, remote work has at least one advantage: it saves time. I decided to use this time to train and develop my skills. I invested more than 7 days on voice training, 2 days on non-verbal interpretation, 4 days on spiral dynamics, I attended 12 supervision sessions, I treated myself to numerous sports coaching sessions (mostly outdoors), plus several hours of e-learning…
I also prepared the 2021 projects that are dear to me: designing and publishing the blog’s white paper, the one on executive coaching, and the one on 360° feedback.
Finally, I completed the design of a new card game on Multiple Intelligences, which will be released in a month, and we are also working on version 2 of the Archetypes game.
6. Know what is good for you
It has been difficult for most of us to rely solely on our inner voice; it was often easier to turn outward, hoping to find answers. We spend much of our lives listening to the wrong signals and letting ourselves be guided by the search for popularity, power, or financial and social recognition. So I encourage you to listen to your real needs and desires, and in doing so, to unlock your potential to move calmly toward success.
As for myself, I increased the time spent with my supervisor, chose a new therapist, and new coaches to work on my body and my voice… or perhaps my path?
Here is the list of everything I learned and re-learned in 2020. It wasn’t easy for me every day either… So I take advantage of this start of 2021 to thank you for reading and bringing this blog to life. All your comments are precious and allow me to keep giving you tools for transformation.
I wish you a year full of learning, self-reflection, and of course, health, love, sharing, and joy…
With passion,
Your coach,
Gilles
#transformation #care #crisismanagement #collective #organizationalcoaching #leadership #executivecoaching #newprojects