Not So Super Sunday

In a nod to the national holiday that the Super Bowl has become over the last 54 years, today has been affectionately known as Super Sunday.

Yet in this COVID era, for today’s 55th championship game, it is not so Super Sunday.

Other than what happens inside the lines of the field, not much of today will remind us of the superness (is that a word) that this Sunday typically conjures up.

• The stadium will only be about one-third full
• The CDC is asking us to say home and inside our personal bubble
• They also are suggesting that should you gather to host outdoors, wear a mask, social distance and …. (ugh) even to keep screaming to a minimum when your team scores.
• Big brands are playing it safe too.  Perennial super Sunday advertisers Coca-Cola and Budweiser are sitting this game out directing funds to a public information campaign urging Americans to get the coronavirus vaccine.

Dennis Deninger, who teaches sports management at Syracuse University said this about this not so Super Sunday:

“The Super Bowl is historically one of our national holidays.  People get together.  People have parties.  It is a very socially connected event and here we are in a socially distant era this year … I’m guessing there will be very few Super Bowl parties.”

Today’s game, I think is a metaphor for what each of us has experienced over the last 331 days since COVID unleashed itself upon the world.

Our world.  My world.  Your world.

A world of …

• Social distancing
• Remote working
• Homeschooling
• Masks
• Hand washing
• Lonely birthdays and holidays
• Health concerns
• Quarantining
• Isolation
• Zoom calls
• Virtual happy hours
• Netflix binging
• And of course, sweat pants.

Not so super really.  Well, except for the sweat pants!

Sweat pants or not, this damn pandemic has not only had a major impact on today’s game … but most importantly it has had a major effect on our lives.

The CDC tells us what we all know: “Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration.”

I am no doctor.  Not even close.  Hell, I’ve struggled at times (more than I care to admit) in these past 331 days with the best of them!

It is however in my nature to attack a problem head-on.  And we are attacking this one.

Back in May, the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC) found that 90.4% of U.S. adults reported feeling additional levels of stress specifically caused by the pandemic.

I know May was a long time ago.  But that statistic is astounding.

Just recently I interviewed 26 people and asked how they were doing in regards to this pandemic.  What I heard is alarming:

• “It’s been very tough, stressful, and challenging.”
• “We need each other.  We don’t have to feel we are on this path alone.”
• “Everything has been so negative.  It’s heavy.”
• “This has been tough, I’ve been feeling depressed.”
• “It’s been traumatic.”

I could go on, but I think you get it.

And just like the CDC told us above what we already knew, I think too these individuals I interviewed confirmed what we already know…

That the last ten months have been the perfect storm of obstacles.  To say it’s been frustrating, tough, and challenging is an understatement.

As I thought about this over the holiday’s, three core beliefs surfaced:

Life Is A Healthy Struggle
2021 is an opportunity to embrace uncertainty for growth and to flourish personally.

It’s (Too) Hard To Go It Alone
We want real connections.  Being surrounded and supported by inspired others is a doorway to flourish.

We Yearn To Unleash Our Spirit
We all have a deeper burning desire to matter.  To make a difference.  To have an impact.

These three core beliefs are at the foundation of the new program we introduced on Thursday, One: Power Together.

One: Power Together is an exciting new self-development program straight from my heart.  I want to be a force with you to help those throughout distribution, throughout your business to power into this new year joyously, optimistically and focused.

No pretense here … I am not a psychologist (hell I had to spell check the spelling).

But I believe with all my being in what Warren Buffet once said:

“Surround yourself with people that push you to do better.  No drama or negativity.  Just higher goals and higher motivation.  Good times and positive energy.  No jealousy or hate.  Simply bringing out the absolute best in each other.”

And that’s what we are going to do for 90 days, starting on March 1st.

We are going to come together.  To connect.  As a tribe.  To help each other as we are helping ourselves.

This new One: Power Together program has been designed to provide:

• Instruction & Content
• Motivation & Focus
• Collaboration and Community

We are passionate about and committed to helping all of us in the program move from overwhelm to flourishing, from worn out and burnt out to resilient and energized, and from stressed to joyful.

I know too, by helping individuals live as their best selves, it can do nothing but great things for your business as well.

This synergy is just one of the things that I am so thankful to Melissa Lunak, the Chief Human Resources Officer for Dakota Supply Group, for.  She shared the story of why DSG is offering One: Power Together as a paid employee benefit to every employee on last Thursday’s 30-minute webinar.

COVID didn’t discriminate.  I mean, even Super Sunday is not so super.  It didn’t matter where you lived or worked.  It didn’t care if you were in accounts receivable, the warehouse, sales, in management, or a stay at home spouse.

If you have a heart and soul, 2020 took its toll.

This is why we have structured One: Power Together for every individual.  You.  Your peers.  Your employees.

I’d be honored if you checked out our plans here.