My life in COVID-19- Establishing New Rhythms
“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace” (Taken from Matthew 11:28-30 Message)
Covid-19 has taught me the power of establishing new rhythms. Before Covid-19, my life was busy, hectic and frantic – and that was just the way it was. Covid-19 has been an inconvenience, full of uncertainty and has made life in a digital space a reality I wasn’t quite prepared for. But more than anything else, it exposed how crazy my life has been and how I had accepted that pace of life as my truth. So now I’m redefining the rhythm of my life.
As a wife, mom and believer, I’m setting new priorities. As a maker, I’m setting new habits. Specifically, I’m making just for the purpose of making – not just to sell but for the joy of creating something beautiful. Covid-19 is teaching me the beauty of making just for the sake of making, the joy of slowing my life down and the power of establishing new rhythms.
By: Ciatta-Mae Stubblefield
Keep Going
No matter what plans you may have made for your business or personal life, it can only be controlled internally. What happens in your external surroundings , where you do business and live, you cannot always control. Despite the abrupt interruption of our business as usual, I am optimistic that when this is all over, we will continue to thrive in our creative businesses as entrepreneurs.
One of my takeaways from this experience as an entrepreneur is to think positively on how I can incorporate what I have learned into my business goals moving forward. Quarantine/COVID-19 has thought me that uncertainty is real, and it has different levels. I am very thankful for the assurance that I have to keep me going, despite the uncertainties.
by Mina Mantor
Don’t be Afraid to Shift
I love a good schedule and plan and without it, I get easily stressed out . I’ve been accused of trying to over plan my vacation activities (lol). Let’s just say my planner is a staple in my day to day operation. COVID 19 taught me that having a plan is awesome, but that even within that, I should not be afraid to pivot or shift as needed. In order to make it through a series of new occurrences, all happening so quickly, everyone had to learn how to adapt and or shift or get left behind. Individuals, schools, businesses, churches, government all had to shift quickly or risk losing even more.
And maybe that is not so bad because in shifting, we grow and push ourselves. In shifting, we gain new perspective and learn new lessons. In shifting, we stretch beyond what we thought our limits were. So moving on, I will continue to have a plan, but I will also be flexible and allow shifts and pivots. Those can also get me to my destination.
How did you handle shifts in business / life? What are you taking with you going forward?
by Jandi H.
How COVID set off alarm bells for my handmade business
The business environment is constantly changing. Everything is fair game; the tastes/needs of customers, competitors, technology, your team, you name it. We always have the “luxury” of deciding when (and if) we’ll respond to those shifts.
COVID has reminded me how hard it is to change. The pandemic was a the-market-has-changed instance that was undeniable. It was not a gray decision but more like a red lipstick scrawl across the bathroom mirror screaming, “Homegirl, that old plan is not gonna cut it.” And if I’m honest, I resisted changing my product offering and marketing message in response to new situation COVID had created. I had fallen in love with my original plan of a travel-centric resort clothing collection and idea having to pivot frustrated and scared me.
Eventually I did shift and my sales skyrocketed. I realized that even when things get back to “normal”, I have to be more comfortable with recognizing shift moments and push through my discomfort to actually change. That choice can determine if I achieve my goals or even survive as a business. Are you comfortable with changing your plan based on what’s happening in the market? What are some things that make it hard to change? —