We are all shocked by the unprecedented situation that the coronavirus crisis has brought to us. By now, it is clear that we will spend several weeks confined to our homes. For most executives, remote work will follow up. For single people, isolation is inevitable. For families with children, the constant noise and turmoil of daily life is to be expected ….

As always, there is an increasing amount of moralising talks urging a return to the simple things: swimming, reading, meditating, re-focusing on the household, on the children. Of course, those who are already adopted this dynamic will easily be able to skip the step. But for some others, the return to the household and the feeling of being cut off from the world can quickly become a nightmare. This period of confinement made us realise how sociable we are.

Re-discovering a online mobility 

If there is one right we take for granted and which is being challenged by the coronavirus crisis, it is our right to free movement. The last time this right was overridden by the urgency of the situation was during the Second World War: children were sent away from schools, citizens were confined … !

But there is nothing comparable today, we are experiencing a completely different kind of confinement. Although we can no longer move around freely, we can still stay connected thanks to internet and smartphones. We need to reinvent a new form of socialisation with these tools. We can, for example, set up video conferences with the simple objective of socialising: the video-conference coffee breaks !

It’s also an opportunity to stop the frenetic exchange of text messages, emails and what’s app and to rediscover the pleasure of spending hours on the phone with loved ones, the elderly, long-lost friends … The furious pace of our lives makes us choose to read and respond to these messages whenever we want. With this forced break, it’s time to slow down these text messages and come back to the pleasure of talking, of getting to know each other and not simply interact because we bump into each other at work, at school or with our neighbours…

Ultimately, what we really miss in this social isolation is simply talking, exchanging information, even if it is trivial. In other words, start creating links, new bonds, because we are above all social beings ….

It is up to us to become re-learn to be social (online) ! And to keep these good habits when the coronavirus crisis is over.

Reflect on the after-crisis and project yourself 

Have you ever noticed that when we stay at home, one of our first instincts is to tidy up our things ? We want to see things clearly, throw away the junk and make room. The same applies to our lives. Allow it to happen and reflect on your lifestyle and your professional future. Am I satisfied with the life I have ? Does it correspond to my values ? What should be changed ? What do I aspire to ? Where do I start ?

Every period of crisis is also an opportunity to change our behaviour. Neuroscience studies say that the brain easily creates habits. In a constant environment, habits are almost impossible to break. It takes a total paradigm shift like the one we are experiencing to break the cycle of habits and to be pushed to evolve in our professional but also personal lives.

Confinement does not mean rest. Between our daily tasks, remote work and, for parents, children at home, the rhythm remains intense. In spite of everything, this is the moment to open a window on ourselves, the one we usually avoid opening because of our tense and relentless daily professional schedule.

To open this window, open your computer and connect via videoconference with your favourite executive coach :-). I offer ONE FREE HOUR OF CONSULTATION to any executive who wants to reflect on his or her career and dissect his or her LinkedIn profile.

In the current context, since we all have to make a collective effort, I am happy to offer my expertise and my time. Interested ? Click HERE.

Luz d’Ans is an ICF certified Executive Coach. After graduating from Sciences-Po Paris, she worked for 15 years in large international groups as a Risk Manager in France, Singapore and Switzerland. She is trained in neuroscience applied to leadership (neuroleadership) and in systemic business coaching. She accompanies individuals and companies in the challenges of their transformation: complex projects, talent upskilling and recovery after a life accident.