Do you feel the same way? Are you affected too? Is this familiar to you?
Every morning I wake up and think positively: “This is going to be a great day.”
Until I sit down at my computer and the latest news headlines pop up…
For over two years now, I’ve been living – and I dare say I’m not alone in this – with significant limitations.
Before the pandemic, I spent 2–3 days a week on-site with my clients, working together to improve their businesses. It was real! It was mutually enriching! And most of my clients appreciated it – well, okay, some may have been glad to see me leave again.
All jokes aside – yes, we consultants can be exhausting at times.
But working together toward something meaningful over the course of several years creates double value.
Of course, every collaboration has its natural endpoint. But let’s look at what these past few years have really meant.
At first, we watched and wondered: What is this? How should we deal with it?
The pandemic demanded a lot from all of us. And I, as a consultant, was deeply affected – not just financially.
In the beginning, there was understanding on both sides. We followed contact restrictions, made things work digitally when it was urgent.
But many scheduled appointments were cancelled – understandably so, I believe.
Yet over time, that understanding wore thin.
We had to learn to cope. Even now, it’s still not easy.
But after two years, I believe it’s time to return to a more normal life.
The pandemic – at least at this moment – has lost the horror that politics and science once warned us of.
Personally, I think it’s time we start viewing the coronavirus the way we do the flu – and learn to live with it.
I’m vaccinated several times, I have no issue keeping distance or wearing an FFP2 mask – and I’ll keep doing both.
I test myself every day, too.
And today? My worries haven’t become fewer.
Now there’s a war in Europe – a war that could escalate, and I don’t even want to think about that.
Both the pandemic and the war have one thing in common:
Once again, we consultants fade into the background.
Just as things were settling down again. Just as demand for our services was returning.
The balance of attention had started to even out.
And now everything is overshadowed by the next crisis – and all the memories come rushing back.
Even the pre-pandemic crises have returned.
Depression is on the rise every day…
And what can we consultants do?
Nothing.
Because we rely on our clients to sit down with us and solve the problems they’re facing.
Or better yet, to identify the opportunities and potential – and find new paths together out of this tangled situation we’re all in.
Maybe you feel the same way.
For me, it’s easy to find solutions for my clients – to identify potential, define action plans, and create improvement.
But for myself? I can’t seem to do it.
And maybe that’s the opportunity we have as consultants.
Maybe we can move forward together.
Let’s talk – and write – about our fears and our worries.
Let’s invite others in and share what’s going on in our hearts and minds.
Because we matter. And we have something to say.
Let’s say it together.
