The power of positivity in business

In 2020, the way we went about our lives, ran our businesses, connected with friends and loved ones was turned on its head.

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl at the mayoral debate breakfast hosted by Toowoomba Chamber at Picnic Point, Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer

In 2020, the way we went about our lives, ran our businesses, connected with friends and loved ones was turned on its head. 

All those things we thought were certain become uncertain. 

It was a shock. 

It was sudden.

It was an unwanted call to adventure.

At first, I refused the call of this unwanted adventure. 

I rejected it. 

I said it will pass. 

It is temporary, I moaned. 

Life as we know it, will return sooner rather than later. 

In the beginning I avoided, the reality of it.

Amidst all the drama, people shined. 

Mentors and friends helped each other through the uncertainty. 

Encouraging, supporting and driving change, whether in business or psychologically. 

The goodwill and care did not go unnoticed.

There were so many tests and challenges. 

It was a process of trial and error. 

Experiments, successes and failures as we changed. 

It felt like everyday we were being asked to do more, change more, just to survive. 

Resilience was portrayed in spades.

Then, I thought we were about to return to the "new" normal. 

We were out of the woods. 

There was relief and optimism.  

Restrictions eased; hope provided. 

We reconsidered our revised strategies, our business goals and approaches to workplaces, colleagues and clients to determine further adjustments or continue our new path. 

Strategies that will re-shape our physical and social landscapes for decades or more.

Then, within a blink of an eye, we were back.  

We were confronted by the worst of 2020, again. 

New tests and challenges. 

More trials and errors. 

More experiments, successes and failures. 

More change. 

More being asked of us every day. 

More things that did not go to plan. 

Whilst, it is my view, Queensland will reap long-term economic rewards, with 30,000 people expected to turn up to the AFL Grand Final at the Gabba, spare a thought for small businesses who, under the current rules, their businesses are still facing extraordinary hardship. 

Please do not stop encouraging, supporting and asking each other are you okay.

Okay?

Originally published as The power of positivity in business