Laura Berman Fortgang - Now What?® Coaching

Twilight by definition is the sunlight scattering above and below the atmosphere so that Earth’s surface is neither completely lit nor completely dark. It’s the “in-between.” The time where it can go either way, light or dark, depending on your position on the earth’s surface.

In a time in our history where nature is battling against man-made conditions and men and women are having to adapt to climate crises, COVID-19, economic dissonance, and a dizzying daily news cycle, we seem to teeter on the edge of circumstances and our own capacity to deal with them.

Pay cuts, job loss, home-schooling, and costly and scary climate events are all enough to make you want to assume the fetal position and never come out from under the covers. Sometimes, you just have to say it’s all too much and take a day off.

But, when you return—when you show up to your life the next day, there is no room to cling to the cloak of doom. You have to shed it and enter the light side of the “Twilight Zone.”

Can we hold both the good and the bad at the same time? Being scared and doubtful while still having a vision for a great future and the confidence to get there?

I think we can, and human history shows that we have many times over. It’s just new for a lot of us.

COVID-19 has given us an opportunity. Yes, there are challenges too, but if you no longer have a commute, in person events, and a busy social life, you have more time. More hours and more mental space for reflection and even innovation. Yes, innovation. Your work, your life, and your business can all benefit from this pause, even when it’s incredibly scary and uncertain.

It’s time to pivot. It’s time to create.

In these last several months, my coaching clients have created:

A legacy project (while remaining employed) that engages his passions and will serve others for years to come
A full reinvention from corporate leader to purposeful community leader
Strong habits and business practices that increased revenues for two solopreneurs
A job exit plan with a new venture in the wings
Strategy and investment in a scale-up and COVID pivot for one business

What does it take? Simply the willingness to face the problem. Avoidance is our greatest enemy. The sooner we face the challenge and tell the truth, the less elusive the solution will become. Clarity will come.

For those unemployed, furloughed, or concerned that there has been permanent irreversible disruption to your life, you too must face your reality. Don’t wait. Create an “in the meanwhile” opportunity. Maybe get into something you’ve always wanted to do.

This is not a time to play it safe and wait out the pandemic. Whether you are an employee or running your own show, this is a time to be BOLD. Chaos calls for leadership, and you get to choose the light and lead. Fear is normal. Darkness is easy to succumb to. It makes you want to go to sleep! But don’t. Now is not the time to sleep.

Stay awake, watch for the inner prompts that arise from a slower schedule, and act. Lean into the light of the twilight.

Let us know how we can help.

Summer is winding down as school, work and life tries to find normalcy in a changed world. As someone who has worked from home since the 90’s evolving from a sliver of space in my bedroom in the apartment I shared with my boyfriend (now 27-year husband) to having the bigger of our two home offices with three college-age kids under our roof, I’m devoting this issue to those of you who might be in varied stages of sharing your space.

I can relate to your pain, but we have to cope and find our way.

Here are some TRUTHS to remember:

Distractions are REAL and CONVENIENT (choose wisely).
HOME chores can wait (don’t use them to procrastinate, extra points for multi-tasking that doesn’t disrupt your work).
COMPROMISE will have to become your middle name.
WORK will take over your life like THE BLOB (make rules and set boundaries).
CHILDREN will take over your life like THE BLOB (they are capable of more than you ask of them).
PEOPLE WHO HOMESCHOOL (pre-COVID), do not do so six hours a day. 2-3 hours tops! (don’t stress and know that distance learning for six hours is unrealistic for most kids but especially elementary school and middle school).
LIFE IS NOT FAIR (just a reminder).

Here are some TIPS to consider:

DO what you DREAD MOST first (do the hardest thing first).
ASK for meeting agendas (or provide them) so your time is not wasted.
CREATE a space for each worker/student in your home (even if you are just in separate corners).
DETERMINE DAILY SCHEDULES in concert with all household member (even young kids) There is less conflict when everyone knows in advance what is going on.
DETERMINE who needs one-on-one time to perform best and who doesn’t (your team members or kids).
GET ALONE time for a few minutes a day even if it means waking earlier.

Here are some TRICKS to try:

AUTOMATE what you can (grocery delivery, workflow, use your technology)
Have kids EARN screen time or other privileges that used to be a given (delegate those chores!)
INCLUDE younger kids in your work (can they make copies, write a legal argument or presentation? (just to keep them busy, not for reals, silly! My daughter wrote a book when she was six while I was writing mine—gave me gaps of time to work!)
MULTI-TASK your down time. Yes, we all deserve to just turn off and do nothing or watch TV, but we can also fold laundry, sew on a button, pay bills or some of the other chores that don’t need to happen during the workday.

This is no picnic but how soon we’ll be back to “normal” is anybody’s guess. We may find some new ways of working and doing school that will transcend COVID time and become a good thing in the long run.

I have no doubt you are creative and resourceful. I hope these ideas help.

P.S. I’ve avoided suggesting too many things that require high costs. I know there are people hiring their own teacher in a pod or paying for all in-home services or deliveries. Not all have those avenues available. Where can you join forces with someone who could use more help? How do we find solutions that work for everybody?