My One Thought For Moving Forward

Unprecedented.

That has been the word I have heard from faculty all week. With being a doctoral student at a major university and adjunct teaching at two other colleges, this week has been a whirlwind of juggling three different calendar changes, moving to 100% online teaching methods, canceling performances and events, and coordinating the steps for moving forward. I’m grateful for various university and department leaders that are making difficult decisions based on zero precedences. Whatever your thoughts are regarding the chaos, I would encourage you with one thing.

Social distancing does not mean to remove social interaction.

Call/text/email your students, your family, and your friends. No, I’m not referring to a reminder about classes or checking to see if a new lesson time will work. I’m referring to a simple “Hey, how are things?” or “Are you doing okay with all of this?”

For professors, we can bring a glimmer of comfort to a student who’s one positive moment a week (whether we think it or not) comes during their weekly one-on-one lesson with you. For hundreds – if not thousands – of us, that in-person student/teacher relationship has become temporarily severed. Through all of this, we may see how society is still truly attached to personal conversations and interactions. I was encouraged by a professor of mine who sent an unlisted YouTube video to all of the students in his department and just simply encouraged them. And I know he will “check-in” with all of them again soon.

For families, it can be the same. Call each other. Whether we realize it or now, the sound of the human voice can be a soothing reaction to a difficult situation especially if we always find comfort in that voice.

For friends, this is certainly a time to reach out and say, “Hey remember when we always wanted to do that recording project from afar?” or “Now would be a really good time to start that podcast…” While your friends may be miles apart, we are fortunate to have devices that allow the simple video software to say hello and for a brief moment, step out of the chaotic times we are facing.

Whatever the situation, keep the social interaction alive. It not only takes the edge off from worrying, but it will also allow us to continue (or even introduce) a fresh perspective on mentorship, relationship, and friendship.

I have followed more local news this week than I have in the past 12 months combined, and I have had a plethora of emails fill my inbox (more than the usual un-related messages). It is quite easy to become overwhelmed with the news. Some of us can remain strong in the chaos; others may shrink back in fear and desperately wish it would all go away. For either one of us, it may be necessary to step away for a brief moment and dive into a “value-driven action” as described by Cal Newport.

Pick up your phone to call or text someone and ask them: “How are you doing with all of this?”

You just might be the ray of sunshine that person needs in their life, and in return, you can receive the reflection from that same beam of light. It has worked for me, and I hope the same can happen to you.