As workers today, we are treading in difficult, confusing, and frustrating times, no doubt about it. Most of you have many questions among them being how long this is still going to go on, are we going to go into the second year without a salary increment, what is going to happen to our jobs post this era of the pandemic, etc?
I had the same questions too! I then decided to flip the questions around and focus them on me, as I have more control over myself as opposed to what happens out there.

It came to my realization that the only thing that can determine how long I can still endure this wilderness and what will eventually happen to me once we cross over to the other side, is my emotional strength and my agility.
Since the first lockdown in April 2020, I did a number of online courses in the area of leadership development and faith, as I need strong faith more than ever before. I upgraded my certifications for some of the leadership competences and assessment tools I am already accredited to use. I volunteered to be a Mentor for a six months integral coaching program, Coaching for Development, at the Centre for Coaching at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business in South Africa, just to name a few.

Engaging on the above significantly occupied my mind and kept my level of anxiety at a bare minimum. I am also intentional about increasing my value so that I enhance my capability to deal with the aftermaths of this pandemic.
I invite you to reflect on this as we celebrate International workers day. How do you feel now about all that happening in and around you?

Some companies have already closed down, and some will surely close down after. This says to me that there will be competition for the jobs that will be left and ‘good’ will not be good enough while ‘ordinary’ will not see the light of the day.

What are you doing now that makes you more valuable, so you remain relevant once we cross over to the other side?
As my mentor Dr John C Maxwell would say, “Growth doesn’t just happen!”
Don’t go through the pandemic, Grow through the pandemic!