THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE LIVES OF ENTREPRENEURS! WILL YOU SURVIVE OR THRIVE?

A wave of shock, wonder and fear hit a whole lot of people on the planet when we realized what happened! We had a pandemic in our hands – Covid-19! Time stood still for some of us! For 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or more!

The question was: What do we do now? And how are we going to manage? ourselves, our families, our business and our communities at large from here on?

Here’s what I did, and how I bounced back to a stage of Hope, Confidence and renewed Enthusiasm! I reached out to a few of my friends and business colleagues. What I heard from some was confusion, uncertainty, and fear of losing stability, possibly our health and wellbeing, and focus. On the flip side what I heard from others, was: spending time to chill, time with family, time to re-think and re-strategize, and time to reflect on what do I really want in life? Some folks needed reassurance that we still have options and to understand how we can find support to explore what they are, and how to choose what’s best for us. Others were ready to pivot, so they got right on the bandwagon of learning new things, ideas, strategies, through webinars and various online groups and sessions, to figure out “What’s next, and how to pivot?” I was fascinated at the difference between these 2 groups, so my question was: How can I help both groups of people and take my work to a deeper level?

Interestingly enough, although I was procrastinating getting online with my work, this propelled me to get started. I saw a need and immediately found the courage to jump on the bandwagon of working with groups online. I started 2 groups:

1) Deepening your connections

2) Town Hall Gathering of Hearts and Minds in Business

The first group “Deepening your connections”, was established to get entrepreneurs to take advantage of getting to know their database of clients in a deeper way, and connecting with other entrepreneurs experiencing the same challenges by asking deeper questions so they can form better quality partnerships for collaborating and referrals to each other. The benefits they received were as follows:

1. They made friends in business as opposed to just being colleagues, so it became easier to have a conversation and develop quality relationships

2. Connections were made at a deeper level as participants were opening their hearts to help others, and in doing so, regained their own self-worth, confidence and strength

3. Built trusting relationships, resulting in tons of referrals for business – a community was formed

The second group, “Town Hall Gathering of Hearts and Minds in Business” got together for the purpose of sharing their challenges, outcomes and WINS, and to help mastermind for solutions. Here are 3 benefits they received:

1. By sharing their challenges, they realized they were not alone, and felt safe enough to trust others to give and receive support. This brought people out of isolation and into community thinking.

2. By sharing their ‘WINS’ and Breakthroughs, it gave others insight, courage and confidence to seek help and work through their challenges together.

3. Masterminding for solutions in the group showed participants the impact of teamwork and collaboration; bringing back a level of JOY in working together for mutual success.

Overall, what I saw and learnt was that until we apply what we learn, it usually remained as knowledge and stored information in our brains and minds. With every adversity comes deep insights and lessons. Through Covid-19, many entrepreneurs realized that true success only comes when we learn to trust in others and ourselves. It takes a village to bring up a child, and it takes a community to grow a business.

A bit of introspection is healthy and if we can open our hearts up to others as human beings, we have the opportunity to create “REAL CHANGE!” Is this a misfortune or an opportunity to grow? Maybe this pandemic has given us the opportunity to repurpose entrepreneurship itself!

Rosa Lokaisingh, Connecting YOU, Founder/Connector/Business Match-Maker http://rosalokaisingh.mobicards.ca/