This week, I’m thinking a lot about the pandemic disrupting the way people view “work” and their careers. In a way, the situation has brought awareness to the forefront. There’s a sudden realization around the fact that life is short and not certain or guaranteed and maybe we should do things differently. 

The way we view work nowadays is a huge shift from the way it was viewed in the past – agricultural / industrial economies. Before the rise of the information/knowledge economy, workers settled for a stable paycheck in a job close to their home. The mindset at that time was: work hard and provide a stable life for the family… then retire, be happy and live stress-free. There was also a mindset that work is how one defines oneself and that work should be painful because it builds character and validates existence.

Welcome the disruptors: what if you want happiness now? Isn’t it possible to find fulfillment in the present moment and still support ourselves financially? In the past, “work” and “life” have been seen as two very separate things, but the boundary has slowly become less black and white. 

The pandemic showcased weak leadership and organizations that don’t value, motivate, or develop their employees. The organizations that are more strategic are now making a reactive attempt to boost morale and show they value and support their employees. 

The result? Business formations during the pandemic were up 23% from the prior year! 

I fall into the disruptor category by nature and I can say without hesitation that the disruption of the pandemic sped up my entrepreneurial passion (executive coaching).

This week’s easily digestible tidbit is: To many, life has changed, mindsets have shifted and people don’t see themselves returning to “business as usual” when they are forced back into the office into an organization that isn’t attempting to evolve as they prefer. Think about how your mindset and priorities have shifted over the past year. How are you viewing the role of your job in your life?