SOME PARTING THOUGHTS
BY TIFFINY FLAIM
As we head into summer and my tenure as your president comes to an end, I wanted to reach out one last time with some thoughts on the challenges that lie ahead.
When the year began, none of us could have – envisioned we’d be where we are now – struggling with the impact of a global pandemic on our collective health and economy. Certainly, I don’t know how this situation will evolve and what lasting effects it will have on all our lives. But what I can offer you are a few basic and simple things you can do now to more successfully navigate the uncharted road before us.
Be intentional. These events have been a wakeup call. For many of us, it has been far too easy to take things for granted; to allow life to become routine. The good news is that we can learn to change those attitudes in both our personal and professional lives. Living a life of purpose and being intentional means evaluating your choices, being consciously appreciative of what you have, and clarifying what steps you can take to make changes.
In your professional life, that might mean looking at ways to diversify. In some areas, our industry is considered essential. In other areas, it is not. As a result, you may have lost business and income. That’s why going forward, this is a good time to consider diversifying your clientele with plans to take on a mix of both public and private, residential and commercial customers.
Stay focused. If you’re experiencing a lot of down time, it can be easy to lose focus with one day seeming to drift into the next. I would challenge you then to take the time to focus and plan for the year ahead. Think about your goals for the future. What do you hope to achieve? How can you improve your mind, your health, and your relationships? Concentrate on positive outcomes and try not to lose sight of the good things in your life.
Now is also a great time to focus on your business and the year ahead. Do you need to re-prioritize what you’re doing and how you’re doing it? Consider a plan of action for when business picks up again.
Get involved. This crisis may have prompted you to re-examine your life and how you spend your time. Is there something you’re passionate about but have never pursued? Now is the ideal time to consider getting involved. Whether that’s with your community, an organization, or even within your industry or union. Think about what you can contribute and recognize that it matters.
Finally, I’d like to thank you all for the work you do and urge you to remain strong. Together, we can continue to build and grow our businesses and our industry.
Be well. Be safe. Stay healthy.
Tiffiny Flaim, BIOFOAM SPFA President