I am currently reading Apollo’s Arrow:The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live, by Nicholas Christakis. In it he writes about the Covid pandemic and it’s impact on society. He includes many comparisons, contrasts and parallels to previous pandemics ranging from the earliest pandemics from recorded history to SARs-1, ebola and AIDs.
He wrote that almost everything we are experiencing has happened before during previous pandemics. He has examples of everything – from vilifying “others” to essential worker issues to economic impacts and supply shortages to governmental failures to pandemic fatigue and magic thinking.
As I read his book, it got me thinking about some of the current “crises” being discussed on the news, in podcasts and on the street. I have some thoughts about these.
Worker burnout – Hospital staff, pharmacy employees, retail and restaurant workers, and other workers who have a higher than usual workload.
All are complaining of long hours, being short staffed and having to work longer/harder/more than before. They say it is a crisis and they cannot go on.
Here’s the thing – you’re just not used to it. I’ve dealt with work surges multiple times across different jobs:
- Delivering fish and pizza during Lent on Fridays.
- Lifeguarding with a staff shortage – Covering 90 straight days of 100-300 swimmers with 2 guards instead of the assigned 4.
- End of Quarter and End of Year sales push for decades.
- Staff shortages but no quota relief as a sales manager for years.
And I’ve dealt with worse outside of work:
- Moving as a child many times without having any preparation or assistance from my mother whatsoever (Sometimes we had 1 day notice. Most times, she never packed. I would scramble to drag boxes home from the liquor store and pack on moving day.)
- Marathon cross country driving and relocations as an adult.
- Dealing with an addicted stepdaughter for 10 years.
- Dealing with a delinquent/criminal stepson for 5 years.
- Caring for my wife through multiple surgeries, chemo and treatments for 15 years.
You’ll be OK. Everything will be alright.
This won’t last forever. It just feels that way when you’re in the middle of it.
What I know is that hard times make strong people. They made me resilient, efficient and thoughtful.
Some of my most difficult work surges ended up being the best times of life. We pulled together as a team and became better workers, closer friends and strong people as a result.
Even the awful personal experiences left me with an inner strength and confidence. Today, I know I can get through just about anything.
You can too.
I predict that if you don’t give up, one day you’ll cherish some of your memories from this time too.