Unprecedented: The most overused (and accurate) word for 2020.
Silver Lining: After 9 months of challenges, we can walk away with decades’ worth of invaluable lessons.
No, maybe not what we would’ve chosen and yet . . . are you the same person you were at the beginning of all this? Me neither. And that’s not necessarily bad.
For one thing, many of us discovered what really matters.
Which fits with the idea of post-traumatic growth (PTG). Psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun, who co-developed the concept of PTG in the ’90s, found adversity can lead to long-term benefits:
“People develop new understandings of themselves, the world they live in, how to relate to other people, the kind of future they might have, and a better understanding of how to live life.”
If any of us were short on the adversity that can trigger PTG, 2020 has given all of us our fill. Ugh.
But! There’s more silver linings. You’ve likely grown as a result of all that. Researchers know that one-half to two-thirds of people who experience trauma also experience PTG.
Digging for Discoveries.
One factor that increases the likelihood of PTG is a willingness to explore our thoughts and feelings surrounding the trauma.
Keeping in mind the proven rewards of journaling and self-reflection, consider these questions:
- Thinking back to the first days of lockdown, what were your hopes and fears?
- What’s changed since then about who you are and how you view the world?
- What did you learn about yourself in 2020? What aspects of life were a struggle? What was easy? What made you feel scared, bored or angry? What made you happy?
- What did you learn about your family and your role in it? Any realizations about friendships or romantic relationships?
- What rituals or practices did you adopt that you hope to keep beyond the pandemic?
- What did 2020 clarify about what you want in the future?
Back and Forth.
In 2020, we wrote off plans and goals, focusing on what we could control as we sought to survive COVID-19.
Now, with vaccinations under way, we can dream a bit as we move forward into a new year.
The Gold-Medal Game Plan for Entrepreneurs or Managers can help. It’s a quick and effective tool that incorporates fascinating brain science research to help you envision comforting and inspiring expectations of 2021.
Growth and Hope.
Anyone sad to see 2020 end?
Didn’t think so.
Here’s hoping we’ve all grown from the challenges of this traumatic year as we move with new hope into 2021.
Curated Resources to Jumpstart 2021.
- The 2021 Gold-Medal Game Plan … customized versions for managers or entrepreneurs.
- A positivity hack to neutralize our negativity bias and laugh more in 2021.
- A terrific opportunity to learn self-compassion from the experts.
- Want to renew yourself in 2021? Distinguished Professor Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky’ mindfulness tips to let go of resentments for your own benefit.
- Gallup’s top workplace insights from 2020, and research-backed ideas to bake care and trust into your workplace culture in 2021.
- A different perspective on time management.
- A sweet 78-second video reminder to keep taking one step at a time.
