ELEVATED INSIGHT

Where has the time gone? It has been two weeks since I first checked in on you. How are you doing?

“It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we must do what is required.”

And here we are distancing ourselves from one another for the good of the country. Personally, I feel busier and more productive than ever. As it is in sports, I believe success in life is about creating time and space. So this week, I am going to discuss other things we can do to create space and be productive with the added time we’ve been given.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

Before I get to that, I want to thank everyone who has checked in on me. I have enjoyed hearing about what you are doing to get through this pandemic. Elaine Kennedy sent me a very nice note last week and said the picture over her desk would be of her personal hero, Winston Churchill. I did a little research and wanted to sprinkle in some random Churchill wisdom throughout the blog. He knows a little something about making it through a tough time.

“Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it.”

I first thought of what to write this week while watching my son. I’ve said it before. We need to watch the kids because they are coping better than we are right now. I was taking a video of my now six-year-old son dribbling two basketballs at one time and started to think of all the skills he’s developed since social distancing became a thing. Along with dribbling two basketballs, he’s developed some pretty effective post moves on the court. He has learned to ride his electric scooter, and along with all the other kids in the neighborhood, he’s abandoned the training wheels. One thing the pandemic has done has created a future biker gang out of these kids.

“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.”

What new skills have you developed over the past few weeks? Did you realize you were a world-class chef, cooking gourmet meals for your family? Did you dust off the weights that were hidden in your basement, and your arms feel like jello from using muscles you haven’t in some time? Maybe you took an online course that enhances your skillset. You should be proud of whatever it is you are doing. It should show you that as humans, we can continue to grow and develop. Many of us were not accustomed to teleworking, so the lack of commute has added precious time to our days. Make sure you are using it wisely.

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”

As I stated, I have been working A LOT, but I’ve also been given an extra three hours a day by eliminating my commute. Obviously, I’ve used that time to work on this blog, which I hope some of you have found to be entertaining. If not, stay tuned, I will get better! Other than that, I have learned to ride my own electric scooter. I already knew how to ride a bike without training wheels, so what is the fun in that? I have dabbled in the culinary arts. I bought a keyboard and have been using an app to teach myself how to read and play music. I’ve watched every movie imaginable, including Top Gun 5 times. That movie will always be a classic. One thing I have not done is stopped putting in the effort.

“If you are going through hell, keep going.”

I know each day that passes has taken us further and further from what we considered to be “normal.” You don’t have to tell me. I have celebrated a four-year-old birthday, a six-year-old birthday, and Easter in quarantine. I also know that if we keep going, we will become closer and closer to getting back to some form of normal. Keep your eye on the prize. We are going to get through this.

“For myself, I am an optimist – it does not seem to be much use to be anything else.”

Matt Sarant is a proud member of the Kennedy Services family. Kennedy Services is one of Maryland’s oldest independent, woman-owned staffing services, located in the heart of Baltimore City. Kennedy Services continues to partner with businesses to support their growing staffing needs. We remain open and are working hard for our essential workers, as well as people without jobs.

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”