#heartbreak
It’s the only word for the slow-motion series of huge events tearing the world apart. An imperfect world for sure, but one where at least we’d learned how to navigate, survive and in some cases even thrive.
Having just lost about a third of my annual revenue projection, and a big chunk in the immediate term over the last 3 days; I’m reeling from the uppercuts being dished out by the world. I’m on the ropes with the body blows of cancelling and postponements and it’s already hurting. I don’t know for how long I can keep my guard up. My chin’s exposed waiting for the knockout punch but there may be a few more dodges and weaves to enact that keep in the fight and stay on my feet.
And yet, I’m not in ICU, nor so far is anyone I love dearly. I’m not in that really heartbreaking situation faced by healthcare professionals about who to treat and who to let slip away.
It’s a tragedy. A ‘live’ one at that.
I’m hurting for people I love and those I’ll never know; I’m angered at the bulk-buying inconsiderate nature of some parts of the human race.
Since I got home on Wednesday 10th March, after being with those wonderful people I’ve come to call friends and colleagues, I’ve been in self-imposed, social distancing. Willing the world to stay calm and resolute and adapt the things they want to do and keep things going. Not just financially motivated, but psychologically; spiritually and emotionally.
See we’re ‘only’ a small HR, OD and Change advising consultancy. We aren’t saving lives in healthcare and emergency services, or keeping the fuel pumps ready to fill up the lorries that bring the food and medical supplies, or keeping the electricity, telecoms or wifi going, or the water or the sanitation services flowing.
Why should we survive this apparent ‘culling of the unnecessary’ currently going on in the business world?
Restaurants, bars, cinemas, sporting clubs, gyms, coffee shops, holiday parks, airlines, train companies, taxis or garden centres. Childminders, cake makers, florists, recruiters, stationers, toy shops and landscape gardeners.
All rendered null and void in the sweeping motion of the hands of time.
It’s heartbreaking however you look at it. And of course the cancelled weddings and difficulties in arranging and attending funerals and visiting relatives in care homes. People stranded away from home. People locked in their homes.
And the many thousands losing their lives through a virus.
These are truly heartbreaking times.
And the optimists dig in. And the memes of positivity ring quietly in newsfeeds amongst the death tolls rising, the border closures, the strain being put on our medical heroes.
And the anger at the politicians who dither or are unsure. At the scientists baffled about the course of action. And at those who appear to ignore the struggles and force their own workforce to travel, turn up and keep selling.
But all that aside, this is a dangerous thing we’re facing. We thought it was an inconvenience to have to curtail travel or miss out on a sporting event.
People are dying in their thousands and our valiant caring professions are being battered, bruised and taking much more than the blows I’m taking.
We must remember those who are afflicted most by this. And those who are doing their life’s work to keep others alive and care for them.
This is no ordinary crisis. This is not the greed-based capitulation of capitalist arrogance in 2008. This is our health, our lives and our futures we’re fighting for.
We may be punch-drunk quite a bit these next few weeks and days. We may need every ounce of our imagination, determination and agility.
We may need to cry a lot; smile a little and remind ourselves of what it’s all about. This thing called life.
Businesses will crumble and fall. We’ll pick ourselves up a bit in the late summer. But things will never be the same again.
We may lament our ‘good times’ never really appreciating how good they were.
And when we emerge, that ‘never the same again’ needs to be our starting point.
People who call inclusive and progressive social systems ‘communism’ can STFU: We need a government that is about people; their health; justice and fairness; and a balanced economy that takes care of others and the planet.
We need more Norway and Finland approaches for life and living.
But first, we need to be distant but close; isolated but together; and steely but compassionate.
I don’t know what the next hour will bring let alone the next week or month or quarter.
I remain committed to doing my duty as a son, husband, enterprise leader, professional, friend, neighbour, and yes, a citizen.
I haven’t written this to invoke lots of comments of support, or sympathy — though they would be nice, I won’t deny that. I have written it because if you don’t run your own business and this kind of week happens, or if you’ve never been told you’re about to be laid off, it hurts man. Badly hurts.
I’ve just had a reply from a potential client, where I pretty much emailed them and said ‘I guess you’ll be cancelling this work; you’re a public office, I understand and good luck etc.’. They just came back with a ‘yeah it’s hard but we’re still keen to work with you’. I shed a tear.
- ‘It’s only work’ some people say. Screw that. It’s a life-giver
- ‘It’s only the flu’ some people say. Screw that. It’s a life-taker.
These are the two heartbreaks here. Lives and livelihoods.
I’ve had a heartbreaking few days. But nothing like those who’ve lost people to this virus or are fighting it themselves or who are helping those who are fighting it. That’s the real heartbreak.
What’s the point of this? 7 actually.
- People are dying. Be careful and care for others.
- Unless you’re one of the heroes doing that essential work, be socially distant. Shirk the pub, don’t run that marathon, don’t go to the supermarket. Stay at home.
- Panic buying is for assholes. Don’t be one.
- Trying to upsell your ‘remote working solution’ during this time is for assholes. Don’t be one.
- Recalibrate yourself for a much more online, virtual and socially distant society when this has calmed down. We will still socialise — but it’ll be different. How? I don’t know, but different it will be.
- The planet might just thank us for getting through this if we can change our polluting, harmful ways of eating, living and being.
- Be socially distant and if you can isolate yourself, do that.
This blog post is for Broch, Jessica, Kirsten, Emily, Catalina and Crystal. #TeamPTHR.
