Disruption on the surface sounds like a bad thing. Disruption is defined as the action of preventing something, especially a system, process, or event, from continuing as usual or as expected.
I don’t know about you, but I am a creature of habit. My days are by and large guided by patterns that have been set for quite some time. These patterns allow me to expend less energy to get through the day. Science has shown that decision fatigue is real. We cannot make unlimited decisions in a day. Our ability to make good decisions is whittled down by each and every prior decision that we have made. In short, our daily patterns or habits are what allow us to operate efficiently. They are necessary.
The irony is that we grow through forming new patterns and by stepping out of our comfort zones. We need to change things up in order to grow in new directions.
In business, disruption is touted as a powerful tool for innovation and introduction of new ideas. Causing disruption creates opportunities for new solutions. It opens cracks that allow for new growth.
On a personal level, when I can figure out the right wrench to throw into my routine to disrupt the elements that are not serving me, I am more successful at establishing a replacement habit. Disruption in this case creates space, sheds light on new perspectives, and allows me to grow where needed. Targeted disruption leads to new growth.
But what about the disruption that is happening today? The level of disturbance that we are facing today is extraordinary. We didn’t plan for it, nor invite it. We don’t know when it will end. It is impacting every aspect of our lives. And making its mark on everyone around us.
All at once, so many of our patterns and habits have been thrown to the wind. We eat differently. We drive differently. We work differently, if we are lucky enough to still work at all. We shop differently. We spend time with each other differently.
We are in the middle of a tidal wave of disruption. So how can we best ride out this wave? And what about the new normal at the end of this period? The good news is we can work now to get through this stage, however long it is, and be ready to meet the new landscape on the other side.
Hold fast to your core values.
Much of my childhood was spent outdoors. I learned to make note of key landmarks when exploring. With these landmarks as anchors, I was comfortable that even when temporarily lost, I could find my way home when needed.
Our internal landmarks are our core values. These are the elements that ground our decisions and align our growth. Though these may evolve somewhat throughout our lives, even major disruptions do not change them. Within these disruptions, keeping our values in mind and integrating them into the new situation will make it easier to weather the storm.
How our values show up, though, may look different. We cannot do the same activities in the same ways as a month ago. I can still support my extended family by running to the grocery store for those most at risk or writing letters and calling the ones that we can no longer visit. I can still get my dose of nature through walks with the dog and family. Connecting with others can’t be meeting for coffee, but it can be a phone call.
Use the new space to create helpful habits.
There are cracks now throughout the pieces of the mosaic that was once our routine. In these cracks we can plant the seeds of new habits.
It seems like ages ago that I was mulling over a new morning routine. I tested it out and fine-tuned it to create something that got me going each morning, working within the structure of those days.
Now the reality of online schooling for the kids and working from home have rearranged our days. There is less time in the car, yet more activities to juggle throughout the day. As everything finds its new place, there is space for new habits to be introduced.
These new habits can provide vital care for ourselves. For example, building in exercise gives us some control over our own health and reduces stress. Journaling offers a way to work through and express the confusion and uncertainty around us. Identify elements to fit in before the space is filled up by default.
One good thing about having the family at all times is that I can partner up with one of them to build in some accountability as the habit gets established.
Practice compassion.
Compassion for others is critical in this time. Give your own time to listen to others and be present. Find ways to serve your community, even if it means simply putting a heart in your window for others to see. Use your talents to provide help where possible. By seeing ourselves as an integral part of the bigger community, we can regain some sense of control and optimism as the benefits ripple out to the wider community.
Compassion for ourselves means allowing things to be different and clearing space to work through the changes. Find ways to ground yourself. Recognize your emotions as they come – let the grief, anger, and confusion have some attention as well as the gratitude, empathy, and love. Each day will be different. We will make missteps along the way. Now is not a time for judgement, but for doing what we can… when we can… to the best of our abilities.
Take a deep breath and know that we will get through this.