Without a doubt, the events from this past year have been very unexpected for everyone. The year 2020 has forced us to do deep introspection, make adjustments, and, most importantly, grow. I think we can all agree it was a year full of changes and challenges that, in a certain way, felt like being reborn into a new reality.
These are some of the most relevant lessons we learned in 2020:
1. We should always be prepared for the unexpected and be flexible to adjust.
An unforeseen event can occur at any time – such as what happened this year with the Covid-19 pandemic – and change everything. Therefore, we always have to be prepared for uncertainty. In a way, you must have a backup plan for everything, what people like to call “plan B,”; and sometimes even a “plan C” is necessary. We all have heard the saying, “A cautious person leaves no stones unturned” (or in Spanish, “Una persona precavida vale por dos”).
When an unexpected change happens, we need to be flexible and willing to adapt. Only open and flexible minds have been able to rethink their endeavors and see change as an opportunity, but not as a setback or weakness. It is important to establish a culture of change that allows us to identify the areas that we need to improve regularly. For example: probably (and we’re sorry if that is the case) you lost your job, but maybe you can start your own business and strengthen your skills to better your resume while you search for a new job. If you know how to cook, you can sell food. You don’t need a restaurant, you can cook at home and offer delivery on request.
How can we adapt to change?
- By understanding that fear of change is natural.
- Accepting and recognizing that change is necessary if we want to grow professionally and personally.
- Acquiring a culture of continuous skilling. Adapting to change is a soft skill that can be learned through training.
2. Remote teams deserve more trust.
Before this health crisis, most people viewed remote work with great suspicion. Once the virus began spreading around the world, working remotely turned out to be the only way to keep on while also preventing further infections. It became mandatory. One of the greatest concerns was that the transition to remote work would significantly affect productivity. However, several months later, it has been shown that working remotely is no less productive than working in person.
This year also reminded us that clear, direct, and empathetic communication facilitates work and interpersonal relationships through a screen. Plus, frequent communication makes remote work as seamless as possible.
3. How to be productive at home.
Some of us had worked from home before, while others suddenly had to start working from home for the first time ever. Some people have kids or pets they need to take care of, and some others don’t. Whatever the case, we all had to adapt and learn how to be productive while working from home. A few things we discovered help out with remote work:
- Create a daily routine
- Set an ergonomic workstation (keep it clean and organized).
- Have a schedule that includes your to-do’s and breaks.
- Reduce your social media and news consumption.
- Stay in touch with friends and family.
- Eat healthy and exercise, or at least meditate.
- Don’t stay in our pajamas all day!
We also learned that there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel and that one of the most valuable things we have is our health. No matter how difficult things are now, don’t stop thinking about the future, and above all, keep preparing for tomorrow. We know it was difficult thinking like that during this year, where each month seems like the end of the world, but please remember to never give up.
If you’re looking for professional growth and want to work from home for a U.S.-based business, don’t forget to apply HERE. All you need is English proficiency, owning a personal computer or laptop, a headset, good internet speed, and of course, you need to be incredible! Before submitting your application, make sure to read everything in the description and follow the instructions. Learn more tips about our hiring process HERE.
Photo by olia danilevich from Pexels
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