This past year has been rough for just about everyone, and while we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, it would be foolish to close this chapter without first considering what we have learned from it. While we don’t want to relive the year, we do need to thoroughly go through it and see what we could have done differently to prepare. If there’s one thing we can take away from 2020, it’s the lesson we learned from COVID, and we must implement it in the future to ensure that we take something away from this experience as a whole.
The Future is Digital
As soon as things shut down, everyone was forced to switch to a virtual platform from students and teachers to employees and health care workers. While many had to spend the first few months adapting to this new platform, some were already set up with such a system, making the transition that much easier. In the future, we now know that virtual is possible! Just because you can return to the office doesn’t mean you should throw away the systems you had in place. Continue to offer virtual tours and online applications, and while we hope to see some normalcy in the near future, this preparedness will help you stay ahead of the game.
Put People First
At the end of the day, it’s essential to remember that people aren’t replaceable. Put your employees and residents first and figure everything else out after. Unfortunately, it took a pandemic for many people to realize how important human interaction is, and while we can’t go back and change anything, we can be sure to make the most of quality time moving forward.
Self Care is Not Self Indulgent
Mental health needs to be a priority. This past year has taken a toll on all of us, and we are all finally starting to learn what exactly we need to revitalize and rejuvenate ourselves. If your company allows for it, offer your employees mental health days or free therapy sessions. Once your employees are happy and healthy, they will do their job much better. The kindness and care you give to others will come back to reward you in the long run.
While this past year has been rough, to say the least, the lessons we have learned will pay off for years to come. Did you learn anything else from COVID? Share it with us in the comments below.
