{"id":8950,"date":"2020-12-31T06:10:54","date_gmt":"2020-12-31T12:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/?p=8950"},"modified":"2025-06-02T05:15:09","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T10:15:09","slug":"2020-turning-lemons-into-lemonade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/2020-turning-lemons-into-lemonade\/","title":{"rendered":"2020 &#8211; Turning Lemons into Lemonade"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div>\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"8950\" class=\"elementor elementor-8950\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b69a2a9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b69a2a9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e1eac02\" data-id=\"e1eac02\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe2bd19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fe2bd19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2020 - Turning Lemons into Lemonade<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-079dd9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"079dd9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>&#8220;When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.&#8221;<\/em><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Elbert_Hubbard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Elbert Hubbard<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c47126f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c47126f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6229571\" data-id=\"6229571\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bb2a7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8bb2a7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5d73b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d5d73b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Re-Viewing 2020<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8829ca3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8829ca3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: left;\">At the risk of re-stating the obvious, 2020 presented the world with unique challenges. What are your lessons learned?<\/p><p>Last December we all had our <em><strong>Key Assumptions<\/strong><\/em> about 2020.\u00a0 We assumed the future would resemble the past. And we based both our business plans and personal plans on these assumptions. By April, most of our assumptions were invalidated.\u00a0 Plans needed to be either postponed or pivoted as we looked for ways to <em><b>take lemons and make lemonade<\/b><\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a7811dc elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a7811dc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bd1ac77\" data-id=\"bd1ac77\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6944eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a6944eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: left;\">What words would you use to characterize the past year?\u00a0 How would you fill in the blank below?<\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>2020 was ________________<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3><p>Here&#8217;s some possible choices.\u00a0<\/p><ul><li>Disruptive<\/li><li>Heartbreaking<\/li><li>Catastrophic<\/li><li>Mentally\u00a0Challenging\u00a0<\/li><li>Alienating<\/li><li>Depressing<\/li><li>a political hoax<\/li><li>Unprecedented in our lifetime<\/li><li><b>Opportunistic<\/b><\/li><li><b>An adventure\u00a0<\/b><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fbb371c\" data-id=\"fbb371c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef52b62 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ef52b62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"306\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/years-on-road.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-8963\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/years-on-road.jpg 306w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/years-on-road-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/years-on-road-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 306px) 100vw, 306px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8cd1068 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8cd1068\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fa85e31\" data-id=\"fa85e31\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c30342d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c30342d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lemonade-cc.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-8952\" alt=\"Lemonade - CC\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lemonade-cc.jpg 560w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lemonade-cc-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lemonade-cc-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-57886a4\" data-id=\"57886a4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de86ca3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"de86ca3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">My 2020 Lemonade<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90dfb39 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"90dfb39\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I would describe my year as <i><b>an adventure<\/b><\/i>.\u00a0 My friends and family have stayed healthy and safe. And I&#8217;ve enjoyed a series of positive experiences.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>I know I&#8217;m in the minority when I share that <strong>I&#8217;ve had a really great year<\/strong>.\u00a0 I&#8217;m aware of my fortuitous status.\u00a0 So I&#8217;m compelled to share my recipe for 2020 lemonade:\u00a0<\/p><ul><li>One part <strong>good luck<\/strong>.<\/li><li>Some <strong>impeccable timing<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li><li>Two parts <strong>positive attitude<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p>Not everyone had all of these ingredients on hand. And, I concede that luck and timing will make a positive attitude more attainable. But I believe that optimism is a common ingredient for all who found enough resiliency to either prosper or at least cope with the year&#8217;s challenges.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f535b48 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f535b48\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e808183\" data-id=\"e808183\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55d6674 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"55d6674\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Thinking about &#8220;luck, I&#8217;m reminded of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Branch_Rickey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Branch Rickey<\/a><\/strong> quote:<\/p><h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>&#8220;Luck is the residue of design&#8221;<\/em><\/h4><p>Also, if the Law of Attraction played a part.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s my 2020 re-view.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5944c17 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5944c17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Adventures and Opportunities<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7aa2674 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7aa2674\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>A European Close Encounter<\/h4><p>I spent the last week of January 2020 skiing in Northern Italy.\u00a0 On our return trip, Munich airport officials were stopping all travelers to ask:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>&#8220;Have you been to China?&#8221;<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>Who knew that in just ten days Italy would became the biggest pandemic hot spot this side of China?\u00a0 I dodged that invisible bullet.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-b4d4469 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b4d4469\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ccacf8e\" data-id=\"ccacf8e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c9edc9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8c9edc9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/vail2020.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-8977\" alt=\"Vail-2020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/vail2020.jpg 650w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/vail2020-254x300.jpg 254w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/vail2020-127x150.jpg 127w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fc2e74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7fc2e74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Scenic, but potentially hazardous<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0b3be0e\" data-id=\"0b3be0e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac6cb4f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ac6cb4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Domestic Close Encounters with Covid<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ffb0397 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ffb0397\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Boston<\/h4><p>In February 2020, I made two business trips to suburban Boston to conduct communication workshops. The second trip coincided with<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcboston.com\/news\/coronavirus\/biogen-conference-in-boston-now-tied-to-more-than-300000-coronavirus-cases\/2254941\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> The Biogen Conference<\/a><\/strong> in Boston which is now tied to over 300,000 Coronavirus cases. Another invisible bullet dodged.\u00a0<\/p><h4>Colorado<\/h4><p>At the end of February, I jetted off to Vail for more skiing.\u00a0 Ten days after we returned, all of the Colorado ski towns became hot spots with quarantine restrictions. Even the mayor of Vail got infected with Coronavirus. Our group was unaffected and oblivious.\u00a0 While returning to Chicago on March 7, I was the only person in the Denver Airport wearing a mask. Our world changed quickly in the following days.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-efda8fe elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"efda8fe\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6c3a3e5\" data-id=\"6c3a3e5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d6b25c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5d6b25c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Shelter In Place<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81285ba elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"81285ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Illinois Governor&#8217;s Executive Order took effect on March 21\u00a0 While I lost some potential new business, my existing coaching engagements were easily switched over to Zoom meetings.\u00a0 And I&#8217;m fortunate to have a really nice work <b><i>place<\/i><\/b>.\u00a0 Our townhome is located in a Golf Club community. Fine food delivery is only a phone call and 15 minutes away.<\/p><h4>2020 Summer in the Suburbs: No Sweat\u00a0<\/h4><p>From April through July our daughter, son-in-law and two year old granddaughter moved in with us to remedy their temporary child care shortage. The sudden addition of a toddler to our one quiet household was challenging.\u00a0 But we made lemonade.\u00a0<\/p><p>As the weather warmed, restrictions loosened. We enjoyed dinners and drinks on the deck and reservations at the local pool and clubhouse for more food and drink.\u00a0<\/p><p>Little Molly got to spend quality time to bond with Grandpa.\u00a0 And vice-versa. <em>The Summer of Molly<\/em> will always be treasured.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p><p>Our annual family 4th of July concert excursion was cancelled. So we enjoyed the local fireworks, festivities and food with more family visiting from NYC.\u00a0 Lemonade!\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f7d86ce\" data-id=\"f7d86ce\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-670fbd1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"670fbd1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/Poolside-240x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-8959\" alt=\"Poolside with Molly\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/Poolside-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/Poolside-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/Poolside-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/Poolside-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/Poolside-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/Poolside.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c0a59e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c0a59e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Me and Molly<br \/>Poolside at <a href=\"https:\/\/hwccgolf.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The Club<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f18b9a5 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f18b9a5\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ba4ae88\" data-id=\"ba4ae88\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47ea0e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"47ea0e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pandemic Perks<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-587a3c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"587a3c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To help with a slight business downturn, my life\/work balance shifted with less work and more family time.\u00a0 Plus, there were some financial benefits.<\/p><ul><li>In July of 2019, I bought stock in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/zoom.us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Zoom<\/a><\/strong>. With the pandemic, it has tripled in value.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li>In June, I received a nice, soon-to-be-forgiven PPP loan.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p>Delicious lemonade!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-571c544\" data-id=\"571c544\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bdb666 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3bdb666\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/lemonade-mso-214x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-8995\" alt=\"Lemonade Pitcher &amp; Glass\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/lemonade-mso-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/lemonade-mso-107x150.jpg 107w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/lemonade-mso.jpg 274w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1bffe19 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1bffe19\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dc9a525\" data-id=\"dc9a525\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f52827e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f52827e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Fall and Winter 2020: More Lemonade<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f28f387 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f28f387\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In August, Molly&#8217;s Mom and Dad resolved her day care and went back to their home in the city.\u00a0 My wife Holly got a brand new knee.\u00a0 And suddenly, the coaching business improved.\u00a0 Just when I was ready to spend more time &#8220;working&#8221;.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p><p>In September, our son proposed to his girlfriend at a Manhattan restaurant. She said &#8220;yes&#8221;.\u00a0 I flew to NY for an outdoor celebration. My safe departure and return was closely scrutinized by the New York Department of Health. There were no new infections resulting\u00a0from the gathering.<\/p><p>As announced here at the time, I was inducted into <a href=\"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/my-hall-of-fame-induction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>The Trusted Advisors Hall of Fame<\/strong><\/a> in October.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>As with most of us, our holiday gatherings were fewer and smaller. We were able to enjoy bringing young Molly to a socially distanced Brunch with Santa.\u00a0 That was as adventurous as we choose to be.<\/p><h4>Wintertime Beverage of Choice<\/h4><p>My January 2021 ski trip to Switzerland is cancelled. But that&#8217;s another lemonade opportunity.\u00a0 I&#8217;ve taken up a new winter sport playing <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Platform_tennis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Platform Paddle Tennis<\/a><\/strong> at the neighborhood&#8217;s heated courts.\u00a0 It&#8217;s a great workout and socially distanced good times.\u00a0<\/p><p>Seems that you can and should find ways to make <em><strong>lemonade<\/strong> <\/em>in any season.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6df873f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6df873f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b9a687a\" data-id=\"b9a687a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f96d365 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f96d365\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ignorance is Bliss?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0474e28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0474e28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I&#8217;ve shared my positive outlook here while reviewing 2020. Am I <em>comfortably numb<\/em> to the inequity issues that resurfaced this summer?\u00a0 It depends on your perspective. I am a senior, white male, I was a student in the 60s and my educators enhanced my awareness and empathy for these issues in those formative years. It&#8217;s sad and embarrassing that racism is still an issue. We shouldn&#8217;t ever dismiss aspirations for ending it.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>I believe that we all need to find our own recipe for happiness.\u00a0 We all need coping mechanisms in hard times. And we all need to discover our own ways of making the world a better place. I hope that sharing my adventures and successes provides you with food for positive thought.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-47c0756 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"47c0756\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8ce1463\" data-id=\"8ce1463\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b17750 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b17750\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>No matter what kind of year you just experienced&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa78fc0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fa78fc0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Here's to a Happier and Healthier 2021<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-687e00d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"687e00d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Remember: We all get to choose our attitudes.\u00a0 <br \/>Choose <em><strong>optimism<\/strong> <\/em>and <em><strong>gratitude<\/strong><\/em>. <em><strong>Resiliency<\/strong><\/em> will follow.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6f345a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a6f345a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2f434dc\" data-id=\"2f434dc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b50250c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b50250c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/lemonade2-199x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-8964\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/lemonade2-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/lemonade2-99x150.jpg 99w, https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/lemonade2.jpg 443w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25023a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"25023a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cheers!<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My 2020 Lemonade:  I\u2019m extremely fortunate.  I would describe the year as an opportunistic adventure.  My friends and family have stayed healthy and safe. I know I\u2019m in the minority when I share that I\u2019ve had a really great year.  I\u2019m aware of my fortuitous status.  So I\u2019m compelled to share my recipe for 2020 lemonade.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8951,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":false,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"","_twitter_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type":"","_pinterest_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"","_medium_share_type":"","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[22,33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abundance-vs-scarcity","category-self-leaderhship"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lemons.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1I2Yr-2km","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8950"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8950\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16993,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8950\/revisions\/16993"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoexecutivecoaching.com\/smartleadership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}