As we entered our third month of Covid-19 quarantine and social-distance protocol, the members of MPI’s Independent & Small Business Owner (ISBO) Community Advisory Board’s Education Committee shifted gears on a recent call to discuss gratitude. You know the saying, “Gratitude is Attitude.” It’s safe to say, we all could use a boost in that department right about now. We’ve been working at home. Some of us balancing being business owners, parents having to navigate distance learning, being a caregiver……all of it taking its toll. Fear and anxiety have been increasing about the future of our industry and the sustainability of our businesses, as well as about the health of our loved ones.
On a regular Tuesday meeting, one member brought up her silver lining during this pandemic. We spent about 30 minutes – positively- discussing what we appreciated during this alternate reality that we are experiencing. We wanted to share with you some of our highlights and would encourage you to take a little time and foster positive thinking for yourself. Its amazing how much better we felt after that call. Sometimes, it just takes a little attitude adjustment to turn things around.
Rita Plaskett, CMP, CMM, President, Agendum Inc.
What are you grateful for?
Coffee/Wine Chats
It is difficult to be isolated in these hard times… but there are silver linings in finding creative ways to spend time with your favourite people. I have had so many fabulous wine/coffee chats with so many of my friends. In previous times, best of intentions to see people are always on the top of our minds but life gets in the way. I look forward now to seeing all my friends and family often over zoom and other platforms and enjoying my favourite coffee and wine and seeing their families and sharing all the great moments. Social distance is not a barrier but an opportunity to see your friends and family. Every Saturday a group of four friends come over in the morning, I place the chairs 6’ apart on the front lawn, each one bringing their own coffee and one bakes muffins and we visit for 60-90 minutes. What a nice way to start a weekend. I am always looking forward to my next coffee date or wine chat.
Finding ways to use this time
It is easy to let one day run into the other, and sometimes … too much screen time and wondering how the time is being wasted. I thought of a way to use my time to both grow mentally and do something for me. I have two lists – one is my personal growth such as taking courses, redesigning my website, etc. and the other is my personal growth such as reading my favourite books, putting my pictures into albums finally, cleaning out a closet at a time, learning to knit, or whatever is on your “wish I had time to do this” list. I have also divided my week into 2 streams: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday are work type days and Monday and Friday are my personal days. Take the time to find your happy place(s).
Kimberly Stanséll, CMP, HMCC, EA, Chief Meetings & Events Officer │Strategic Planning Partners
What are you grateful for?
My mantra: “Stay flexible so you don’t get bent out-of-shape!”
I wasn’t amused the first time I heard my late pastor say this as he admonished our congregation one Sunday. As time went by, I embraced his point, and to this day these words influence how I navigate through life.
When a client calls to cancel a project commitment, I’m flexible and offer up ideas on ways we can still partner and stay connected. Rather than standing in line to shop at my regular, favorite grocery store, I’m flexible and shop at a different market brand where there is no line! When my book of business gets light, I’m flexible and spend more time in the virtual world attending political town halls, professional and personal webinars, concerts of little-known artists, and volunteer committee meetings—and I’ve been exposed to even more interesting people, points-of-view, skills, and information in the process!
Being a “homepreneur”
I’ve worked from home for countless years. So, when legions of workers had to pivot to a home-office lifestyle, I was already there! There wasn’t any transition time needed for setting up my professional workspace, equipment and tools, establishing a routine, getting adjusted to working hours in isolation, or developing a work-life balance. Been there, done that. It’s actually given me a professional advantage of being able to focus on keeping my business viable during these times rather than on how to work in and adjust to a new physical environment. It’s also created an opportunity for me to share with newbies how to make it work for them—an even more importantly--recognize when this working lifestyle is not for you (and that’s okay, too!).
Sharon DeFelices, CMP, Owner/Planner, Mosaic Meetings and Events, LLC
What are you grateful for?
Ralph Waldo Emerson and the ‘windshield’
I have always prescribed to the thinking that there is a reason the windshield is so much larger than the rear-view mirror. Being able to focus on where we are going and not spending a lot of time worrying about where we’ve been, is not easy. Especially as we are continue navigating these ‘interesting’ times. In my office hangs a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote:
“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. (S)He is rich owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.
Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in. Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.
This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays.”
Jeff Rasco, Founder and CEO of Attendee Management, Inc.
What are you grateful for?
Family
We watch the news, read the posts, and see the pop-ups on our phones, it seems there is nothing but nastiness out there. But then I look around my own corner of the world and can’t believe my good fortune. AttendeeNet, or Attendee Management, Inc. as we’re also known, is a family owned business. My two children and two sisters work with me and another half dozen teammates and we get to see each other daily through Google Meet and the occasional Zoom. Better yet, the kids and grandkids live on our street, so we see them face-to-face all the time. It’s truly a blessing that has made these crazy times more bearable and have undoubtedly made us closer.
The ISBO Community sharing
I’m also incredibly thankful for the MPI ISBO (Independents and Small Business Owners) Community. Everyone has been so willing to share what they’ve learned as they’ve worked their ways through the mazes of PPP and EIDL, virtual/hybrid events, working in a new environment, helping staff in uncertain times, plus tricky legal and insurance issues. We’ve received advice that would cost thousands in fees normally, freely given to help our colleagues.
Zoom meeting brevity
Finally, I’m thankful for any Zoom meeting that can wrap up in under 40 minutes! I think there’s a good reason they put that limit on the free version - best practices!
Mahoganey Leigh Jones, CMP, DES, HMCC, Speaker | Entrepreneur | Event Producer
What are you grateful for?
Continuing the work
During this time, it has been hard to find the silver lining through the noise of what do I do now? I'm grateful for continued work and the ability to serve new clients. Our sales team is continuing to service our clients and I'm also able to better serve our industry colleagues through continued communication, speaking opportunities and access to the community. Continuing to reach out to current clients and being able to maintain the business has been a blessing. It has allowed me to continue to grow as a person and build stronger relationships with my clients, colleagues and community.
Family fun time
This time has also brought creative ideas and abilities to my family! From new businesses for my 10year old to a budding magician - I'm proud to see these hidden talents come to light. This new found family time allows us to sit together daily to enjoy our meals, create fun family challenges and spend even more time together enjoying nature, our backyard and home.
As we enter into this next phase of figuring out the future, we hope you can find reasons to be thankful and hopeful every day. If you aren’t already part of our ISBO community, join us! We’ll be thankful you’re here.
Independent & Small Business Owner Community Sponsor
