by: Stephanie Gonzalez, CEO & Managing Partner photo by: Stephanie Ringleb Photography Just a few months ago we were all excited for what we believed 2020 was going to bring. I don’t mean the cliché and typical “new year, new you” sentiment. I genuinely felt an awakening happening toward the end of the year. An excitement to shed 2019 and shear optimism for what we ‘knew’ would come to life in 2020. And, I wasn’t alone. This was an overwhelming feeling from many around me. We all had first-hand experience with the headlines, trendlines and timelines for what was projected for our own local Phoenix-rising. It was as if we could feel the rumblings of grace, abundance and opportunity ahead. Here I sit March 2020, only 3 months later, and COVID-19 has burrowed its way into the US, into our lives and into our psyche. Not exactly what any of us envisioned when our ‘knowing’ made us feel flush with optimism. So far, the results are devastating around the world; and, according to many sources “it hasn’t even hit us yet” in Phoenix. I am fully aware that our lives took a proverbial left-turn in March. None of us envisioned that our life would look, act and feel the way that it does today. I think we all could rattle off a litany of challenges that bring out our individual ‘drunk monkey’ (everyone has a monkey on their back – but the ‘drunk monkey’ is the monkey that says some really crazy and scary stuff). But we all need to remember that uncertainty has always been among us. Uncertainty is what we’ve always woken up to. From a car break-in, flat tire, sick kid, congested traffic or wi-fi buffering to pay-it-forward free coffee, new referral client, accepted offer, or unexpected love-note…we have always lived with a healthy dose of uncertainty. It’s just coming with a bit more density to it right now, forcing our protective strategies to be in overdrive. There are a few things that are helping me stay focused and in positive momentum each day. One, keeping perspective with what I do have (not don’t have). Our family is healthy and happy, and our boys are figuring out distance learning with my husband and me as their teacher and we are all oozing with grace (inevitably, some days more than others). Two, anchoring to the fact that I am part of a community. North&Co. is a community that truly cares about each individual person and has a rich desire to be part of solutions. I give thanks to our routine 9:00am Zoom calls as they are keeping all of us conscious and connected at a higher level. Three, control my controllables. One of my greatest challenges has been the removal of my daily morning, kids, school, work, matcha green tea latte routine. It took me a couple weeks to remember that now more than ever I am in control of my morning routine (I just need to establish a new one). I kick-off my day with water, vitamins and herbs, a long walk with a motivational podcast playing on my beats headphones, a quick stretch and a guided visualization. I can’t explain how much all of this helps keep the right frame of mind throughout my day. All of this cradles my ability to manage the various pieces of my day and show up as my best self. It may seem super idealistic right now (but, what’s the alternative?). Keep in mind this is week-three of being at home with my family and I have had a few days to practice what life was like on the other side. With each passing day I make the definitive choice to look at what I have and know to be true today – and attach myself to the fact that grace, abundance and opportunity still lie ahead!