Silver lining and positive impacts of COVID-19

We have all felt varying impacts of COVID-19.

For me, it has created a forced opportunity to slow down, unable to go to the office, meet clients, or maintain my usual social life. I initially found this incredibly frustrating. However, six weeks later, I’ve realised it’s actually been helpful and there are plenty of positives to take away from this experience. 

No doubt, lockdown has been challenging.  As an Executive Assistant, I often prioritise my executives’ needs before my own, as it is a part of my role to ensure what needs to be done, is done!

Working long hours means I’m often too tired to head to the gym after work. Socially, I’m usually in a rush to make it to dinner reservations with my girlfriends on time, and no matter the occasion, I’ve always got a close eye on my phone.

During COVID-19 I have had time to reflect on my usual routines. It has been an opportunity to improve the way I work, on and off the clock! I’ve made the decision to set better work boundaries. I have given myself set work hours and am prioritising tasks so that I’ll never miss a deadline, but importantly, I’ve also been disciplined enough to leave work that I know can wait. 

I have a set a new routine, I go to bed earlier and get up and start my day with a run each morning. Getting outdoors has such a positive impact on my sense of wellbeing and as an extra bonus, I no longer need my expensive gym membership. I’m generally a positive person but I’ve become even more grateful for the small things, like sunny days, (and thankfully for those locked down in Sydney, it’s been most of them) and I can sit outside in my courtyard with my morning coffee and soak up some vitamin D. 

I have been attempting to master the art of cooking and have enjoyed sharing my photos with friends who say “Lauren can’t cook”.  They’re right, I couldn’t when I was getting home so late, the only thing I felt like doing was ordering Deliveroo. (Thank you Deliveroo!! And I’m sorry you’ve lost your best customer!) Now I am using my time more purposefully, cooking has been a fun new way to break up the evenings, still socialise with my friends, while creating another little health benefit, eating less takeaway!

I’ve reconnected with family through regular Facetime chats and really appreciate the value of having good friends - especially those who have made the effort to check-in regularly.  We are often so caught up in our own lives, it’s easy to forget about others when we’re not meeting face to face, but thankfully through technology we’ve been able to stay connected.

After having my trip to Vietnam cancelled and my plans to get away from it all, postponed - I have come to appreciate the confines of my own apartment and how lucky I am to have such a great place to live. I enjoy the solitude, for many that is such an uncomfortable feeling, but I now have a greater sense of clarity and a clear direction on my goals for the future. During this extra time, I’ve also had the opportunity to network with likeminded EAs, check out online resources, and learn new skills.

Before COVID-19 hit, I launched TWSG to become an advocate for executive assistants seeking workplace flexibility, to disrupt the traditional office structures and create a new future for the way we work. I am so proud of the work we are doing – especially helping those who have lost their jobs to pick up adhoc/ administrative support for senior executives who are also dealing with the disruption of losing key support personnel. 

Our title says ‘Executive Assistant’ however many of our network have a broad skillset and are degree qualified in disciplines such as graphic design, marketing and digital content creation, copy writing/ editing and research. So if you need assistance with tasks outside of an EAs scope, odds on we can help you.

And while we wait patiently for restrictions to ease (or if you’re like me, waiting for your favourite restaurant to reopen),  I encourage you to think about what positive lessons you will take away from COVID-19 that will remain with you once this pandemic subsides. 

Best, 

Lauren