Prior to COVID, the way in which we worked has long taken a toll on many. We need to admit the problems, take stock and reimagine a future that works for everyone. These past few weeks have seen gradual re-openings of businesses here in the US, Canada and the UK. But not everyone is keen to get back to the same old grind. The pandemic and lockdown has many men rethinking their roles as they spend more time with their families. It’s about time. We must not let this opportunity to #reimagine a healthier future pass us by.
“Nothing should go back to normal. Normal wasn’t working. If we go back to the way things were, we will have lost the lesson. May we rise up and do better.”
Anonymous
Being a dad is for life, not just for lockdown. A silver lining of the current pandemic has been that many fathers have been spending much more time with their families…and many do not want to return to the usual grind. In the developed world, men are much more likely than mothers to work full time which means seeing little of their children during the week. In the UK, a study by the Fatherhood Institute shows that this dynamic has changed dramatically over these past three months. Childcare by men has soared. Given that working from home is likely going to be part of the new normal, the hope is that many men will play a bigger role in the lives of their children than ever before.
Recent conversations with our clients indicates powerful shifts in how they view life and work. The extra time with family, cooking meals at home and having time to reconnect has been a rediscovered joy to many and few want to give this up to go back to working 50-60 hour weeks. Simply put, they are no longer willing to sacrifice their families for a life of all work and little play. And who can blame them?
Seeing your child’s first steps, teaching them to ride a bike and just being there for them as they grow are irreplaceable moments. Is working late, being on call 24 hours and missing important family events worth it? After months of sheltering at home, the answer for many men now is a resounding “hell no!”
Figuring out a new way forward can be challenging though. But with so much uncertainty, doubt, and fear in the world, the best thing that you can do for yourself, your family and career is to figure out who the heck you are and reacquaint yourself with what matters most to you. When you know this, you begin to understand the value that you have and the life that you want. It is then that you can begin to intentionally build a life and career that sustains and nourishes rather than depletes you.
If you’re feeling a bit lost after the crisis of COVID-19 reach out to us. We’ll help you get back on track with our Propel Self ™ program. Propel Self ™ provides you with insights and strategies for busting through the daily grind and sets you on a firm course for a healthy, exciting and fulfilling lifestyle. This proven program will help you tap into your own capacity for high-performance and unleash your success at home, work and play.
