We’ve just weathered a life-changing, historic phenomenon. We’re emerging after months of events that have profoundly changed our lives. The coronavirus has been an invisible wave sweeping the planet, transforming all 8 billion inhabitants, a catalyst and disrupter. Nature has hit the reset button. Now’s a perfect time for us to do that as well, taking stock of our altered lives in this brave new world.
At the time of this writing we’ve surpassed 2.2 million coronavirus cases reported in the US with over 120,000 deaths. $3 trillion has been added to the national debt, with unemployment rates over 13%. Many industries predict they will not return to pre-coronavirus activity until a successful vaccine has been developed sometime next year – hopefully. And even then “business as usual” may look very different from pre-social distancing days.
But there are silver linings. As the usual hectic daily pace of life has slowed, the world has rested. With less traffic and industrial activity, pollution levels have dropped dramatically. Some sectors of the work force have been able to work more at home, commuting less, spending more time with their families, even catching up on rest.
Even though we’ve been social distancing physically, we’ve been more connected in other ways – through Zoom and social media. And the shared experience has been unifying, something we’ve all experienced together. Every day we hear inspiring stories of first responders and those supporting them, teachers reaching out to their students, communities rallying to be sure food is provided for those in need, homeless people being offered hotel rooms, mental health professionals reaching out to those in distress.
It’s a perfect time for us to hit the reset button, to step back and reevaluate our lives, habits, goals and priorities. Marie Kondo, a world-renowned Japanese organizing consultant, advocates “decluttering” your life. Her KonMari method, based on Shinto principles, involves going through all your possessions, one by one, and fearlessly throwing out everything that does not “spark joy” in your life. It’s a transformative process, one that forces you to evaluate what’s meaningful in your life.
You start by going through your house, office, and business – including closets and garages – and throwing out or giving away anything you do not need or use – old catalogs, records no longer needed, mementos, books, clothes, furniture, appliances and tools. Decluttering can be powerful and cathartic. We’re left with a cleaner, more organized environment – and mental state.
Applying her methods we can also evaluate what we really want from life. Have we accumulated habits or relationships in business or personal life that don’t “spark joy” and can be eliminated? Do we spend hours a week – or day – online in ways that are not productive? Or add activities like taking a daily walk and enjoying nature that would enrich our lives and “spark joy”?
AGS Conclave and other conferences recently were held online. Facebook and Instagram are flooded with live events from retailers, entrepreneurs and celebrities. This new wave is one that should be embraced as we return to “normal” life. Your customers are spending lots of time online. Go where your customers are and meet them there! See what other retailers are doing and get ideas. Check out all the different platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and YouTube. Try some live events, such as sales, auctions or live demonstrations (making a ring) or celebrity host (try hosting a designer virtually). This is one development from the coronavirus era that is positive and should be expanded and developed as we move forward past the social-distancing phase.
(Note: There’s an app called Blinkist that features short summaries or “blinks” of many of the top business, leadership, management and motivational books by best-selling authors so you can keep up with all the best new ideas at a glance. “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo is one of these books. I’ll be incorporating several of these powerful on-trend themes in upcoming articles.)
Mia Katrin is an award-winning jewelry designer featured in over 100 top stores nationally. She is available for lectures and seminars. To add her Collections or book a lecture: www.jeweljewel.com, 877-539-3569, facebook.com/MiaKatrinforJEWELCOUTURELLC, subscribe to her YouTube channel www.youtube.com/channel/UC2B-53XBuB_HD5-bofc5jAA
