Fear is Not a Core Value

Today is Day 11 of my family's self-imposed isolation and formal social distancing, as advised by the CDC and other national public health entities. I've been practicing the other recommendations of hand-washing and sanitizing to stay virus-free, for over three weeks. I filled my pantry with multiple trips to the store a month ago. On March 13, I felt prepared for whatever. By March 16, I was obsessed.  

I am a fact nerd. I love data. You want me on your trivia team. My coronavirus obsession, however, went beyond that, affecting me to my core for several days. I kept the TV on throughout the day. I bookmarked the CDC, Johns Hopkins, NIH on my computer for quick reference. I watched every news conference. I wanted to be armed with every bit of current information available. I was frustrated with any social media connections posting fluff. "I get up and get dressed for work, even though I'm working from home," said one woman.  An infographic by a female-centric organization asked, "Tell us, what are you reading?"  Ugh!  Of course, I was silent. I felt I had nothing to contribute to the current conversations online.

On Wednesday, March 17, I woke up early, made coffee, and sat down to write at my desk. I had not been in my office for a week. I needed to purge and self-reflect about my anxiety. My value proposition, posted on the wall next to my desk, reminded me of my purpose. That morning, the coach and mentor in me showed up too. Thank goodness! Where had I been?  

I offer you a summary of the self-reflection I've done over the past seven days and the conclusions I've made for myself. I hope they are of service to you.


Address your fear.  
Fear is a good thing. It's a deeply rooted human mechanism that helps us mobilize and be safe when a threat arises. When anxiety becomes our daily motivator, we lose our focus, at the expense of so many other aspects of our life. If we live and strive and work according to the principals and values that truly define us, there is no place for fear. Dr. Andrew Zwig, one of my favorite thought leaders in the field of psychology, says, "Don't nourish your fears more than your dreams."  

The core values that direct my life every day are creativity, service, authenticity, and inspiration. Fear kicked those aside and distracted me from my life's purpose and my professional mission. Fear is not a core value. It is the result of living away and outside of our core values--our true self.  

I identified my fear and removed it from my TO DO list! I now consider it a momentary lapse of sound judgment.


Live your life.
These are extraordinary times, but we have an ordinary life to live.  Our families, colleagues, and clients are relying on us to show up! We must engage the core values that define us and our reputations for their sake and ours. Our communities need us for our competency and our consistency.  

Before isolation, what were the essential things on your goals list?  What was your priority? I am working on the top four items that I can manage within the parameters of my isolation and via the fantastic technology at our disposal.   

• I am reaching out to clients. Their well-being is my well-being.  
• I am developing the Udemy personal branding course I started in February.
• I am continuing my volunteering as a mentor and board member at my local high school career center.
• I am trying to be a patient, understanding, and encouraging mom and wife.

Create your future now.
Don't lose your focus. Now is the time for personal development and professional growth. Audit and enhance your social media platforms. Learn something new! For me, that's video editing. In 2014, when I started my consulting business, a mentor gave me advice that I still try to put to use. These are his three tips for business success: Read something no one else is reading, think something no one else is thinking, and do something no one else is doing. 

This state of being in our world will not last forever. We have to prioritize the now, but we must take time to plan and envision our future. Make wise choices, protect your family's health, and follow the directions in the small print! 


Stay healthy my friends--

Anna