2020 would have been great. Great sport events such as the Olympic, European Football Championship should have taken place in this year. Metallica would have had a concert in the city where I live (although I haven’t got the ticket). I might have grown the Technology team I was (still am) in charge of. 2020 itself is a great number. But then the Corona virus came and changed everything.

I don’t want to write and talk about the disaster the virus has been causing so far. A lot of deaths, pain, sadness, disappointment. It has taken a toll on us, physically, mentally, and financially. They are well-documented and I don’t want to repeat it here. Instead, I want to focus on a few things I have learned during this pandemic and put them into perspective positively.

Here the 10 things I have learned (or have been reminded of) from the pandemic, in no particular order:

1. Health is the most important thing. This is something that I need to be reminded over and over again. Take care of my health, so I can be around my loved ones longer.
2. Be ready and prepare for everything, financially. All of a sudden, people are losing jobs. I consider myself lucky, that my industry doesn’t have to close during the lockdown. However, since I don’t know what the future brings, saving money during and for the turbulence period seems a good idea.
3. Whatever I plan, start now. Big ideas with careful plans are good, but I need to have several small(er) and actionable plans, then start and do it immediately. Waiting around until the time is right is wasting time.
4. Speaking of loved ones, get in touch with them regularly. With my kids staying at home, I have more time spending with them. I have a video call once a week with my parents and siblings. I’m also planning to have a regular call with my long (lost) and old friends.
5. Show empathy to others. I have a loving family, I get to keep my job ,able to work from home, and a place to live. Others are not as fortunate as me. Listen to their problems and give them more appreciations, including the covidiots.
6. Seize and enjoy the moment, because our lives are fragile. Do not delay my dreams in the bucket list.
7. Don’t take things for granted, however small that is. Despite being introvert, I miss traveling and dancing and interacting with people.

Like all of us, I wish 2021 will be better. But it is up to us to make that happen. With every problem, comes a great opportunity. We just have to know where to look.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash