Hello there!
Last week, I had a scheduled call that was cancelled; one that I had to reschedule to a different day, and another where I had to change the time, but same day.
In today’s newsletter, we’re going to look at how we can cultivate a culture of compassion as solo professionals.
I did end up having wonderful conversations after all, but one that stuck with me, was from a small business owner who talked about the challenges of navigating work, family and just life in general. She said,
“People are just Peopleing!”
You see, oftentimes, it’s not that people don’t know how to manage their time, it’s just that things come up and things happen. Things that we do not plan for.
Everyone is out trying to navigate all the things that come with being a person, and we must learn to be empathetic to what others are experiencing. This is how we differentiate ourselves from the corporate culture.
We can’t change other people, but we can change ourselves. It’s important to encourage others to prioritize understanding and empathy because, really, that’s where true success lies.
The human experience is as complex as complex gets, and when you mix family and work into it, it just adds to the unpredictability.
For this reason, we are prone to making mistakes and contradictions and would appreciate if others did the same for us in case a situation or emergency popped up.
Here’s how we can cultivate a culture of compassion as solo professionals:
1. Just Listen
This is where we can hone in on our emotional intelligence. Make the person feel comfortable to express their feelings and challenges.
2. Be Kind and Provide Support
If you’re able to, provide guidance or resources to help the person get through their challenging time.
3. Be Flexible
Try your best to accommodate. Let the person know that you’re okay with re-scheduling for a better time.
As the week ended, and I reflected on the various twists and turns that had disrupted my carefully planned schedule, I found myself drawn back to the words of the small business owner. “People are just Peopleing.”
Chuckle of the day! 😂
Why don’t calendars ever get invited to parties? Because they are always getting rescheduled!
Shamayne Brown is a virtual assistant and the founder of Camp Virtual Assistance.
She works with solo professionals and small business owners who are ready to invest in their business and need the support that she offers.
She specializes in creating email newsletters as well as other admin and creative design tasks.
Click here to connect on LinkedIn.
Click here to set up a discovery call.
