What are your lessons from 2020?
It has been an interesting year! The pandemic shook many of our beliefs and our way of living at all levels: personal, interpersonal, institutional, regional, national, and worldwide. Since I touched a bit upon this topic in my chapter The Signs of Change from the recently published Grow Together anthology, I’m drawn now to reflect on my lessons from 2020:
1) How Can I Continue This Type of Work at the Systemic Level?
During the first three months, I was busy wrapping up a project I’ve coordinated for the Toronto South Local Immigration Partnerships (TSLIP): a multi-stakeholder forum that facilitated an open discussion between employers, immigrant service providers, and professional associations. The project won the TSLIP Collaboration Award a few months later. What I found the most interesting: i) the participants’ surprise of how much they learned from each other when put in the same room and asked to share and brainstorm ideas (instead of finger pointing); ii) their eagerness to be involved in the next phase of this project; iii) the system gaps that trap immigrants—revealed by the forum report—making it harder for them to step out and succeed.
This project made me wonder: How can I continue this type of work—at the systemic level—which doesn’t seem to be in the attention of any organization (public, private, or nonprofit)? Each of them is busy, focusing mainly on what is in their yard and their own goals. I haven’t come up with an answer yet, on how I can get more involved.
2) Difficult? Be Flexible and Adjust!
When the pandemic started, I totally refused to buy into the madness of the negative news that bombarded us via various channels. It was difficult enough to deal with a lockdown, even for an introvert like me (who’s ok with social distancing). I had to rely on the Internet for delivering the Business Communication course at York University–Glendon Campus, and the coaching sessions with students of their Bridge Training Program for Francophone Internationally Educated Business Professionals.
The biggest challenge for me was the fatigue accumulated during the long Zoom meetings (3-hours each), which cut my appetite to start a series of webinars and group coaching for introverts (as I was planning). What I’ve learned, though: Adjusting the course content and format—based on the current situation and students’ desired outcomes—and using experiential exercises in Breakout Rooms, helped us cope more easily with the long hours staring at the screen.
3) Shifting Attention, a Valuable Skill!
With my brain as tired as my body, I shifted my attention to a new idea that involved using the content I’ve created several years ago for two exhibitions (photography, painting). Instead of complaining about the situation, I dragged myself daily to work on the computer and—by June—I’ve published two new photo-coaching books in English (Metaphors: An Emotional Journey and Spiritual Concepts: A Visual Representation), and their French translations. At least, I could sit and use the keyboard without much thinking. It never occurred to me to publish these books before, but the pandemic pushed me! It was so uplifting to immerse myself in that content! I hoped it would help others as well. And it did.
My lesson here: when one of our abilities is below normal, shifting the attention to another one could help us cope better with the situation.
4) What’s New and What Message It Brings?
I applied these lessons the following months. But first, I asked myself: What did the current situation bring new to me? And what can I do about it?
Well, not really new was my physical health deteriorating because of the long hours sitting in front of the computer. With my knees swollen, I could barely walk. I felt my body very heavy… my mind was blurry… At about the same time, a friend got a new pet – the Bengal kitty Figaro. What a joy to follow his daily adventures via Instagram! I don’t know how much Figaro helped his parents, but meeting and accompanying him on his first forest adventure helped me… a lot! It lifted my morale and increased my determination to get my health on track. It also made me fall in love with adventure cats and their independent personality. Watching their daily posts on Instagram became my new hobby… and inspired me to start a new initiative: Aqua Paw Design (APD). Without long hours in front of the screen, taking dance breaks, and the constant movement to create APD products were beneficial to my health. I have even lost weight since, and I feel lighter and more energetic.
The learning here: pay more attention to what shows up into my life and find out what message it brings. The Figaro cure was definitely what I needed at that moment! No, I don’t plan to get a pet. I’m ok watching others’ for now. 🙂
5) Improving Next Project(s)
The last month was a marathon with the pace of a sprint. The chapters of the Grow Together anthology—written by 15 members of the Immigrant Writers Association (IWA)—were ready, so I had to dust off my project management, graphic design, and marketing skills to get it ready for publishing before 2020 ends. The book became a #1 Bestseller on Amazon Canada in Emigration and Immigration category, and the book launch was a fun and engaging even. BTW, the .07 from 4.07 represents my chapter published in the Grow Together anthology.
Lots of learning here too, but I won’t bother you with these details. I’ll use them to improve the IWA–Contributor Agreement for IWA’s 2021 anthology, so the next anthology project runs more smoothly. I might even write a book about how to write and publish an anthology.
6) Get Inspired by Others
Last, but not least: being a guest at the New Canadians‘ last Café New Canadians session of the year—10 years in Canada: A walk down memory lane with Gerard Keledjian—reminded me of the importance of letting ourselves inspired by others.
Gerard’s journey—especially his patience, the ability to “plant good seeds in good soil,” and build genuine relationships—although part of introvert strengths, were not too much in my focus lately. Another lesson learned!
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“I didn’t see any person as productive as you during the pandemic,” told me Meghan Wankel last September, after hearing that I published four books since March.
Hmm… was I really productive? Or just testing my adjusting muscles and kept moving on in whatever way I could?
Anyway, I’m happy with how I handle it so far… and 2020 is about to end! 🙂
Now back to you:
What are your lessons from 2020?
You can even share them, like I did. Maybe they will inspire others too! It doesn’t have to be big. Most important: the willingness to apply the lessons you’ve learned from your 2020 experience!
~ Gabriela Casineanu, M.Sc, MBA
