An Ongoing Journey of Discovery: Recovery, Adaptation, Gratitude!

Sports training continues to teach me lesson after lesson. We all are here on the planet for who knows how long, and recently we all have been reminded of this in some dramatic ways.  Last month there was the unexpected death of Amerrican professional basketball player Kobe Bryant in a fatal helicopter crash.  And in a very short period of time there have been losses around the world from the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Kobe had a love for sports and for life, and he had pure talent. Everyone who has transitioned and passed also had lives that was lived with fervor, lightness or even challenges. My heart goes to all who have had losses lately and to those who may have some in the near future. 
 
What is extraordinary about these times is that this could be you or me--anyone of us could get the virus and transition and pass. It’s a reminder to be grateful for the time we have.
 
Recovery  
 
I had been doing physical therapy for my knees just before the coronavirus stepped into the US. My new knee doctor was able to uncover that my knees were basically fine but needed help through physical therapy. My physical therapists, SportsCare https://sportscare1.com/locations/nj/physical-therapy-hoboken/, explained that if the right muscles are not activated and working, then my knee function can be affected. I am now doing daily exercises to strengthen targeted muscles three times a week. My knees are feeling better.
 
This situation makes me think of all of my clients who need to repair relationships, rework a project, re-assess their strategy, re-evaluate their budget, or just heal mentally, emotionally, or physically.  Sometimes, as American Tibetan Buddhist Pema Chodron says in her book  When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, confronting problems can open us so that  healing or repair can happen. Now things are falling apart. We must remember her advice during this difficult time. 
 
Adaptation
 
As circumstance change, so must we. All my in-person, coaching client meetings have been transitioned to video conferencing (https://zoom.us, https://www.webex.com) or phone calls from  my apartment in Weehawken, New Jersey overlooking New York. It is an honor to support my clients as they step into their leadership in ways that they’ve never had to do before. I’m impressed by their desire to support their direct reports, support their management in transitioning  part or all of their workforce to work from home, and assess daily the next decisions they have to make as well as anticipate and plan for future needs. 
 
Gratitude 
 
Swimming has always been my “go to” activity for healing and recovery, and it’s also great overall exercise. This year I was back training for the Swim Miami 5k swim in April, and I had made the lottery again for the Chesapeake 4.4 Bay Swim in June.  It was exhilarating to be training again. I just plain love it. When you love something and have passion for it, focus and discipline follow easily. 
 
But the Coronavirus is here, and all of that has changed my sports training. First, I am grateful that I had been swimming and that my knees are feeling better. I was able to go for walks daily, but now that the virus is in Weehawken it looks like that I will be indoors for a while. I am lucky to have an indoor bike on a trainer. My sports coach, Rob Colburn from http://colburnbodyconcepts.com, was excited about my progress. But he is now changing not only my training program but also the online training program on Training Peaks https://www.trainingpeaks.com for himself and all of his clients. 
 
Before the novel coronavirus struck, my clients--like me--were getting energized working on projects they’ve been dreaming would come their way. Some were promoted lately and were adjusting to their new roles, while others had just held all-employee meetings discussing their strategy and goals for the year. Now they’ve all had to adjust and adapt, and their goals are focused on the challenges at hand for their business and employees. 
 
I am grateful to be alive, training and serving my clients. What are you grateful for? How have you had to adapt? How are you stepping into your leadership and adjusting to the current challenges?
 
If you are in the process of reevaluating, readjusting,  or would like to have a coach next to you to help you think through and adapt to current challenges, reach out to me [email protected]. I or one of my associates could help you navigate these challenging times.