Quite a few of our neighbours woke early to pay their respects together. Like others, we stood at the end of drives in the pre-dawn darkness, in silence. My husband, Tim played the last post on his flute and someone nearby was playing it on a trumpet, which ended up being like a sort of echo. In the darkness, it was really poignant - especially with our recently widowed neighbour on her drive across the road in front of us. Grief right there staring at us. I got up to record Tim and ended up having a totally unexpected special reflective experience.

A deeply personal yet collective experience. It would be remiss of us not to take some space, in these unprecedented times, to pause and reflect and really consider what a better, kinder future might look like.

We know there is much that is unknown -  any and all models are incomplete and subjective - but we know the future will be different. In part, we can choose what that might look like and whatever that might be - I am confident "collaboration" is going to be integral to moving forward.  I am also aware that some people are thinking, let's wait until we are all together, but that might well be some time away and we would be missing a unique opportunity.  My take is - let's prepare together now, so we are ready to deliver a kinder, better, more collaborative new future. 

A wise person I know said recently, "People will be remembered for what they did during these times" - what do you want to be remembered for?

What we do now (as ever) - matters. 
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​Copyright ©2020 Nazanin Jenkin Ltd. | www.nazaninjenkin.com | nazanin@nazaninjenkin.com | +64 21 478253

We are finding community and connectedness in the midst of lockdown isolation.

On our daily local walk with the dog yesterday, we saw a few folk - not many, as we try to go when it's quiet. Everyone was careful to adjust their route and keep appropriate distances. But, most made an effort to shout out a greeting, smile, nod their head or raise their eyebrows! A recognition of my humanity and yours. A shared moment of connectedness that was meaningful.

There was healing and love in that connection. Everyone is hungry for connection and belonging - always. This is more evident now than ever.

Hubby said, "It feels like the "old" New Zealand" and shared stories of his childhood in the South Island. I shared stories of whānau gatherings in the midst of the curfew of the Iranian Revolution.
We've been married thirty years, yet our moments of connectedness with (mostly) strangers, led us to deeper connection with each other.

I don't think we can emphasise the importance of connectedness and community enough during life's extreme journeys. Chaos, grief, change and times of urgency - when the "burning platform" is close and in our face - are all times when connection becomes critical. Be it in our personal lives or our business world - the need for community, connection and belonging are constant.

We're heading into the third week of lockdown. So let's be intentional about going beyond self and connecting.

Being intentional: Pick up the phone, send a text, message someone, host a virtual gathering - do what you can. I am focusing on service for my clients, hosting virtual small group gatherings for my peers and reaching out to my loved ones - here and across the world. Everyone needs connection: let's be here for each other.
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Daily Rhythms: For me, the work day is shorter and more focused. My focus is adding value where I can (often that just means listening) and work projects (my first book and virtual/online delivery options). I am also being intentional about daily exercise, eating well (nailed homemade sourdough!) and finding moments of stillness to reflect and be present. Mostly, I'm out of my comfort zone and it's not easy, but it's rewarding and exciting to practice in new arenas.

I read an article from a home detention officer, who said week three can be a hump week. I seem to remember a similar conversation during my son's 8 week isolation of   bone marrow transplant.

How are you finding ways to connect and manage your daily rhythm during lockdown? What's helping?
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Share it with us in the comments and let your light shine!

I truely believe there are opportunities to thrive. History is full of examples of innovations at time of constraints (e.g. Sir Issac Newton during the Great Plague). In collaborative design - we know innovations are at the margins, rather than BAU but it's likely that BAU as we knew it is the past.

So we need to be Collaborative Futures Thinking - NOW.

Ngā manaakitanga, Nazanin
Copyright ©2020 Nazanin Jenkin Ltd. | www.nazaninjenkin.com | nazanin@nazaninjenkin.com | +64 21 478253