The Physical Movement, Lifestyle: There is No Room for Complacency Around COVID-19.
The changes in our world in the last few weeks have taken our breath away. Not sure whom would have believed how a virus could freeze the…
The changes in our world in the last few weeks have taken our breath away. Not sure whom would have believed how a virus could freeze the world.
The ENTIRE world. At pretty much the same time.
When has that ever happened?
In times of war, the whole world was not paralyzed?
In the depression of 1929 were the economies of the world all affected at the same time?
If it has happened, it has not happened often.
Now that it has happened, it does raise multiple questions around moving forward.
What is the new normal?
What will be affected permanently?
Many changes will happen as a result of this pandemic.
Perhaps one of the most interesting changes might be around complacency.
What role did complacency play at the beginning of this virus?
Definition of complacency: A feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc.
Could we extend that definition as the act of taking something for granted?
Do we think that a feeling of security around potential danger of the virus led to some parts of the world not taking this seriously and/or not reacting quick enough?
Is there a parallel to how we view our own health?
Do we become complacent if we are blessed with good health?
How about our work? If things are going well at work or in business, do we get complacent?
I think it is human nature to feel a little bit of a lull of security and complacency when things are going well.
The first step in stopping this, is being aware of it. Making sure our brain is aware that Mr. Complacency is often knocking at our door. This seems especially relevant in the Western Culture where, in general, our quality of life is pretty good.
There are examples around us of people accomplishing great things in all walks of life and they don’t seem to be complacent? What’s the secret to that?
We could make the argument that they don’t let complacency get in the way.
Complacency gets in the way of being our best self.
What COVID-19 has forced us all into a position of non-complacency. Not to take anything for granted. To realize that life is precious.
If you have been pushed to the front of the workforce to support our communities (eternal thanks to you if that is the case), then complacency is not in your vocabulary. Same if you have fallen ill. Nothing is taken for granted in these 2 groups.
What about the rest.
If you have not fallen ill? How do you avoid getting complacent around your health? The simple answer would be to build your immune system. That is up for each of us to handle. This is especially hard if stress of no income or family illness is at a high level.
Simple, not easy.
If you have had your income stop? This will jolt you out of complacency. What skills can be developed so this never, ever happens again? We don’t have much control over the lockdown. But we have more control than we think in building our skillset. Are you willing to get out of your comfort zone to do it? It’s very simple to say “get out of your comfort zone.
Simple not easy.
Not to take anything for granted.
Getting basic supplies.
Good health for you and your loved ones.
Supporting your family and keeping them safe.
There are silver linings that will evolve from this pandemic. None of them planned but rather byproducts of a difficult time.
We have more control over these things than we think.
Not letting complacency creep into our lives maybe one of the things we have control over.
One of the reasons I admire high performers so much and study them, from athletes to artists, is that complacency does not seem to set in for them. Most are very determined to take nothing for granted and work towards being the very best they can in their chosen craft.
There is a lesson here somewhere.
This writer is trying hard to find the silver linings in this craziness. One of them is to remind myself of the damage of complacency and teaching my brain to not let it creep in. Personally, this has been at the forefront of my adult life. I have not always been successful at it. I have taken people and things for granted at times, but I have also fought to stop it.
It is and has been an ongoing process of development and evolution.
Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash
Perhaps that is the ultimate silver lining. That we keep evolving and developing. That is part of the human condition.
I think the virus has reminded us of that.