This week’s blog post, as well as the last one, is by a guest blogger: Nevena Stefanov Taylor, my daughter Isabella’s volleyball coach. Coach Nev is an entrepreneur who founded Block Out Volleyball Academy. She’s an old-school kind of coach who focuses on the fundamentals. Her players play through minor injuries; they are committed to doing the work that needs doing.
Her practical, tough approach to life was forged early. Having experienced war while growing up in Serbia, Coach Nev has some unique insights into overwhelming crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve invited her to share some of what she knows.
— MC
More Lessons Learned in Times of Crisis
Part 2 of 2
By Nevena Stefanov Taylor
Lesson #2: DON’T QUIT—ADAPT
When I was 8 years old, I started my volleyball career in Belgrade, Serbia, a country with an eminent volleyball tradition. By the time I was 14, I was a member of the National Youth Volleyball Team, which won the Balkan Championship.
In struggling Serbia, in the midst of three months of NATO bombing (something we simply called “The Bombing”), my coaches decided to continue practice. We trained outdoors on any kind of concrete and grass surface; it was too dangerous to be in a public facility because those were the targets.
We adapted.
We trained twice a day, wearing shirts with targets on our backs: a newly emerged national symbol of spite and a middle finger to the enemy. We didn’t just train to get better; we trained to keep our hope and spirits up. We trained because that was what we did; we just had to do it differently.
Practices continued even when the air-raid sirens would go off. We would all pause for a second, adrenaline would rush in, and with sounds of detonation and airplanes breaking the sound barrier, we would practice. Diligently practice. There was no excuse. Everybody was there, we were together and we got better. We survived the war, and we learned that excuses are not acceptable. Together we had no fear; alone we were scared.
With COVID-19, the unfortunate quarantine situation has produced some very positive consequences. There’s more family time, of course, but also more private time, more time alone. More time for introspection and reorganization. We might not be able to go about our lives as usual, but there’s plenty of room to re-assess and reinvent ourselves or our business if we so desire.
Perhaps many people realize that they had been leading unhealthy lifestyles, and they’re using this situation as a great opportunity to make a change. Personally, this has pushed me to build my online practice platform, which I kept putting off.
It also allowed me to grow my speaking platform via virtual conferences—a new thing I would have probably put off for a while.
The situation we share right now has made many of us adapt. Positive things are happening because of the changes we’ve been forced to make.
Lessons #3: REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES—GROW
When this crisis ends, as it inevitably will, the question will be: What are we going to be like? The stress, anxiety, fear and the unknown will defeat many. Don’t let that be you.
Wars, diseases and misfortunes are part of life on this Earth. Wouldn’t The Bombing have been one of the best excuses not to practice? It was dangerous, we could have been killed. I was definitely safer in the shelter, but with no risk there is no gain.
Can growth ever happen if you don’t stretch the limits of your beliefs, of your courage, of your dreams?
That was the approach our coaches took, and we bought in. They didn’t allow fear to be stronger than our commitment to the game we loved, and standing together for a common goal created a protective shield that made us feel safe, despite the bombs. The mental toughness this forged in us was priceless. Breaking the fear was a very empowering experience.
With COVID-19, we can use the situation to our advantage. Working on things we have never done before or doing things we have been putting off for a long time are some examples of that.
Instead of hopelessness, worry and anger, this complete interruption of our daily lives can inspire immense creativity on all levels: work, relationships, parenting, time management. Right now is a great time to really figure out what your values are and find a way to express yourself despite the current restrictions. The lessons and opportunities for personal growth are currently in abundance, and we cannot let the fear and lethargy trick us into missing them.
Recent Comments