Adjusting to the New Norm

Getting back to normal is at a snail's pace and hardly direct, but things do seem to be getting better...

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday morning, and I'm into my typical routine. I always go off-topic from photography, business, and marketing on Sundays, and I was thinking about different places I travel these days because of the pandemic.

​For example, on land - Because I have fewer respiratory issues than Sheila, I want to do the food shopping. I typically hit the market at 7:00 am on Sundays for the weekly shopping list. The store's always pretty empty, and the idiots who still think this is all a hoax aren't up yet.

A mask isn't a political statement - it's an I.Q. Test!

​In Cyberspace, there are all kinds of new places.

• I follow the Florida.gov site for the update on the virus, but not the state numbers, just our zip code, and county. I don't put a lot of faith in any of the numbers, but at least I can get a sense of the trend.
• On Facebook, I discovered a group from my hometown, "If You Grew Up in ______...You Remember." It's a private group but 12,000 people strong, and it's been a kick connecting with old friends, neighbors and enjoying the nostalgia of growing up in Ohio. Interestingly, there aren't any trolls - at least not like the photo trolls, and I know it's because everyone knows each other or, at the very least, is linked by no more than three degrees of separation. Nobody's hiding behind the anonymity of their computer.
• Facebook and Friends: Yesterday was Terry Clark's birthday. Terry and I go back to 2010 when he bought a couple of hours of my time to review his marketing plans. It was through a charity auction, and since I was living in Ohio and he was just two hours away in Pittsburgh, I drove over for the day. Well, that kicked off a great friendship, but I hadn't caught up to him in at least a year. Facebook birthdays are a stop every morning, and it's allowed me to stay connected with people I've lost touch with.
• Entertainment: From Netflix to Amazon Prime to YouTube, we're regularly searching for movies and shows we enjoy. For nostalgia, I found "The Rebel" the other day and then more contemporary "Chicago PD" from the first episode in the series. With Amazon Prime, each show is presented without any commercials!
• Zoom: Even on the weekends we've found Zoom is great for connecting with friends, and for business, it's essential. And, if you're in the industry, not being set up right on a video call is the equivalent of a bad headshot on your website. Jay P. Morgan did a great video tying in Platypods. Regardless of what you use for your setup, it's worth checking out. 

Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.
Joyce Meyer

.​And there you have it - we're staying safe and living what many would consider a pretty dull existence, but I still jump out of bed every morning. I'm amazed at so many new things happening as biz slowly inches it's way back on the business front. It's a snail's pace, but it's going in the right direction, and it's steady.

We're all dealing with a new norm. There are no words to describe how much we miss in-person contact with friends. We've got no choice but to stay the course. But think about what that first convention is going to be like when we all feel safe. Plus, we can stay connected with ClickCon Nation programs, going on all day today and one day each month through March of next year. 

So, make it a great Sunday for connecting with friends and family. Just because you're hunkered down doesn't mean you're isolated from talking with people and plenty of virtual hugs. Most importantly, don't lose sight of your dreams - they're still out there, still alive, and still potential in your future - just a slower pace to get there!

Happy Sunday, everybody!