Easter celebrates rebirth, creativity and renewal. A man dies. A religion is born. This Easter weekend is a pivot for creative change.
A virus is causing suffering and death. Yet, compared with the WHO top seven (heart disease, cancer, injury, lungs, stroke, Alzheimers and Diabetes), Covid-19 is insignificant.
Our response, driven out of fear, has put the world on hold. While there have been 18,000 deaths in the US, there have been 16 million unemployed. Many countries are already in recession. Uncertainty is rife. Jobs, businesses and lifestyles will disappear.
Nature leads the way
Skies are clear. India can see the Himalayas. Water runs clean. Swans, dolphins and fish return to recovering waterways. Birds, including Tui, below, sing prolifically in our trees. Streets are quiet and safe. Auckland harbour glistens in perfection. Yesterday, a massive stingray. Today, a couple of diving kingfishers. Tomorrow, the dolphins or Orca may return.
Tamaki Drive (above) which runs along Auckland’s waterfront, usually a snarl of cars, motorbikes and buses, has transformed into a tranquil, family exercise venue. Families, couples and individuals from ‘our bubble’ wander all day.
Imagine a future where on weekends, cars are banned. Humans, birds and sea-life get to recover and enjoy some peace. Great opportunity. Who will step up to the creative work?
Easter. Phoenix rising. Shiva gives way to Brahma. Spring comes. The cycle of life.
We are in the crucible of transformation. As the old gives way, it is time for creativity.
Start with yourself
Can you feel a sense of relaxation? Perhaps a new rhythm in your day? Important reconnections at home? Maybe you feel the need for change? Are you asking what really matters? My top five creative focus points:
- Breathe slowly and smoothly; 4 seconds in and 6 seconds out
- Sleep long, regular and deep; connect your fitbit
- Get out in nature every day; walk, bike or if locked down, do yoga
- Counter grief with appreciation, anger with kindness, and fear with courage
- Be brutal with your thoughts; stay firmly in the present moment
Resilience is so much more than coping and bounce. It is growth, connection and flow.
Start with your breath, attention and presence. Inside-Out is available for less than a cup of coffee. Or start your Resilience Journey with an interactive dynamic Resilience App with assessments, recommendations, online courses, meditation guides, tracking and a chatbot coach.
Recreate your career
My wife has built her own website to launch a digital platform for her finance training. After years of procrastination, it is done. Traditional, workshop training – as well as school, retail, university and services – have already gone virtual and digital. Design, plan, digitalise and communicate your new offer.
Innovation is essential. You may have lost your job or your business. What are you doing right now to recreate a meaningful work and revenue stream? You have time. Use it well. Many gaps will open up. There will be a surge in demand. There is no time to waste. Execute.
If you are looking for a different way of working, isn’t this the perfect time to let go the past and recreate your future? Complete an online course, write, paint, photograph, network and explore what others are doing in your area of passion.
Realign your team
If you are still part of a team, make sure you connect regularly. Support each other to maintain optimal wellbeing and motivation. Brainstorm opportunities. Talk to your clients and see what they need. Come up with novel, timely and effective solutions.
Many businesses – travel, hospitality, airlines – have cratered. You may have lost many people. Get those who are still engaged together to re-imagine the business. Set up those skunkworks to break things down, mix it up and formulate new business solutions.
Perhaps this is the opportunity to refresh your board, leadership or teams. Who are the young, skilled and motivated people who can help your business thrive into this new world?
Community action
If you like the clean skies, waterways and resurging nature, what might you do to highlight some of the benefits and see if we can build them into the future. We are trapping the scourge of possums wrecking our trees and birdlife. What about getting together to have a “no cars Sunday” in your local parks? How about protecting certain areas from noise, drunken revelry and light at night?
The solution to our environmental tragedy is on full display. As we have seen over the past years, most people – especially the young – deeply care about our environment. We are running a stunning experiment in restraint. Nature is already celebrating. If you are a social entrepreneur and want a better future for life on earth, now is the time to organise, devise solutions, and get ready to counter the surge in consumption.
Please don’t let this creative window pass you by. The world seldom offers up such disruptive, rich and tantalising opportunities for deep change. Grasp it with resolve.
Be a better person. Forge better family connections. Recreate your life and work. Connect with those who share your passions and commitment. Make a better world.
Happy Easter😁