My Big Lesson From Lock-Down? I Love My Job

Before the Covid-19 lockdown, my work included a lot of international trips working with our many partners; flying the flag for inspire2coach around the world. There were a lot of early mornings, airports, planes and hotels, disrupted routines, busy days and adjusting to different time zones. I adore it, but my regular routine is, well – no routine!

Suddenly Coronavirus struck. Lockdown! Working from home, isolation, and the routine is…..hmmm; actually what IS the routine?

Whilst I’ve been as busy as ever it’s in a different way, and, no doubt much like you, I’ve had more time to think. I’ve been thinking about many things; some important, some silly and some completely insignificant. But I’ve done one important thing for me. And that’s important, because in my ‘normal’ life, I don’t get too much time to think. I’m a single Dad, a Director and business owner, I’m a boss, a colleague, a tutor, an international speaker, a coach and so on………But I’m also ME. I can see now that there usually isn’t a lot of time for ‘me’ after everything else is done.

Suddenly I have time, adapting to ‘a new normal’, and a little time to learn a few things about myself, and be reminded of some things which I knew but had forgotten in the busyness of life.

It’s been an eye-opener. I wanted to share what I’ve learned about myself in the last few weeks. Maybe your list is similar?

Routine is important to me

I get up at the same time each weekday. I don’t do lie-ins. I make my bed, quite meticulously, each day (I learned that from a great You Tube clip from an ex-US Navy Seal – If it helped him, it could certainly help me). I stop for lunch with my son at 1245. I do my home work out at 5.00. Routine is good for me; routine helps me feel in control.

Little things matter

I’ve always liked detail, but I’ve liked being reminded that little things matter, just like making my bed. I take more pleasure from a beer or a glass of wine at the end of the day than I ever knew possible. The other day, I sat and watched our resident blackbird on the garden chair next to me

I need to connect with outside

I love the outdoors – always have done. My stroke of genius was buying a new desk to go by my back window (overlooking my garden) just before lockdown started. I’ve always liked having different workspaces in the house, but the back window is my favourite. I sit there all day, working inside but looking down the garden, connected with outside

“What if’s” often don’t happen

What if the business goes under? (it won’t), what if I run out of money? (I won’t), what if I or my son gets this Covid thing? (we haven’t – yet!). I knew about the “what if’s” already, but recent weeks have reminded me that however big they seem at 2 in the morning, most things just fall into line and things just work out, somehow. I’m tempted at this point to mention controlling the controllables, but you already know all that stuff.

And finally…..my job is like a friend

I love my job more than I ever knew. How lucky am I to get paid to travel the world to talk tennis? How lucky am I to have so many great colleagues and friends to work with? It’s true to say that before lockdown, relations were a little strained. We had spent too much time together, we were getting in each other’s way, and we needed some time apart. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. My job is like a friend.

Articles By Mark Tennant

[display-posts author=”MarkTennant”]

inspire2coach