COVID-19 is teaching us harsh lessons about everything from the need to wash our hands properly to the importance of preparing for pandemics. What if we decided to use these lessons to prepare for the future?

I acknowledge that that future could be a long way off. Even after we are “safe,” we will need to mourn all we have lost and to rebuild. But here are some things we can carry with us so that, hopefully, the next crisis will not hit us as hard.

In a leadership position? Lead thoughtfully and with compassion.

No one wants to lead through a crisis, but crises happen. When they do, we look to our leaders to put together thoughtful plans designed to help those who will suffer the most. Even when they feel as frightened as everyone else, the best leaders inspire confidence as they calmly communicate the current state of things and what they expect for the future. They unite us and help inspire us to work together for the good of everyone.

How does such a leader pull together a thoughtful plan? They look to people who know more than they do.

We need to trust experts.

Contrary to what you might think given our inaction on vital problems like climate change, Americans have a great deal of confidence in certain experts, such as scientists and doctors. Of course, experts aren’t always right, and new discoveries require us to refine our understanding of the world. But while these authorities are not deities, they have a great deal of skill and knowledge in their area of expertise. We must be willing to tap their knowledge when faced with a crisis… even when their opinions are unpopular or make us look bad.

We need to prepare for crises well ahead of time.

Times like these remind us how important it is to be prepared for emergencies, on a personal level as well as a governmental or organizational level. When the coronavirus stopped being a distant threat, and we considered the possibility of being quarantined for 14 days, we asked ourselves: Do I have enough food? Do I have enough toilet paper? For many of us, the answer was “no.”

There are a lot of factors that have played into shortages of food and household supplies. Supply chains haven’t caught up with the rapid changes we’ve made as many of us work and cook more at home. But there’s no doubt that many of us started stocking up once we saw the need to be prepared for an extended stay at home. And when items become scarce, we may start to feel panicky and buy more than we need… just in case.

Preparing for emergencies is good, but in situations like these, it’s best if those of us who feel unprepared take a deep breath, figure out what we need to be better equipped for a crisis, and then work on gathering these things bit by bit. Wish you had more beans, rice, pasta, and canned soup on hand? Make a list of what you want to put in your pantry and get just a few items from the list every time you go shopping.

We need better safety nets.

It’s hard to stash money in an emergency fund or stock up your pantry if you can barely make ends meet. And even if you are prepared for the future, a run of bad luck, such as a cancer diagnosis and a lost job, can wipe out everything you’ve saved and leave you in debt. Now is the time for us to look at setting up a safety net that can help those who need it. We need paid sick leave, health care that isn’t tied to employment, and well-funded programs to help those who are unemployed or underemployed.

We need to reject false choices, such as “safety vs. the economy.”

Arguments over whether governments should shut things down or open them back up focus on two options: Either we do our best to protect the health of others at the expense of our economy, or those who are most vulnerable need to sacrifice themselves for the sake of an economic rebound. That’s a simplistic, false choice. What if we decided to approach this pandemic with creative thinking? What if the question isn’t “Do we save lives or save the economy?” What if it really is “How can we preserve the most lives while keeping our economy as healthy as possible during this crisis?”

Sometimes we need to put care for others ahead of personal rights.

I’m not advocating for erasing the Bill of Rights, nor am I saying that we can never advocate for ourselves. But in times of crisis like this, it’s good to remember: “It’s not about me.”

I think most people who are want to open businesses again right now are concerned about the economic effects of shutting things down during the pandemic. But there are those who seem to be emphasizing personal liberty above all else.

What’s more important in life? My rights, my liberties? Or caring for the well-being of others more than I care for going wherever I like right now? I believe we are called to focus less on ourselves and more on love for others.

Reducing unnecessary travel makes a difference.

If we had the power to go back in time and stop this pandemic, I think only the most hard-hearted person would refuse. But in the midst of all this suffering, there is some good news: There has been a significant decrease in emissions as people have reduced travel and other activities that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

The question is: How can we sustain this positive change once we move into recovery? Can we carry a conservation-focused mindset with us, perhaps encouraging continued telecommuting and reducing the number of errands we run? Will we commit ourselves to investing more in alternative energy technologies? The evidence is promising: If we work to make environmentally friendly changes, those changes really can make a difference.

We need to be mindful of the most vulnerable people in times of crisis.

We are all suffering right now, and no matter who you are, your suffering is valid. It’s okay to feel anxious or depressed, even if you are better off than other people.

But as some people have reminded us: “We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat.” COVID-19 is disproportionately killing African Americans. The earliest job losses in the United States have hit people of color hardest. As lockdowns have increased, so has domestic violence.

We do not need to deny our own suffering, but it’s important for us to look out for the people who are most vulnerable right now.

Little things really do matter.

It’s easy to believe that we can’t make a difference. There are billions of people on this planet. What can one person do?

Just choosing to stay home really can make a difference right now. If you are asymptomatic, you could unknowingly spread the coronavirus to others; choosing to stay home right now, and to wear a mask and practice social distancing when you go out, could save lives.

Beyond that, the news is filled with heartening stories of people choosing to do little things that are helping others and brightening the world. Forty-three men volunteered to live in a factory for 28 days, making enough polypropylene to make 500 million N95 masks, if it all went to that particular kind of protective equipment. A 12-year-old is putting on bagpipe performances outside senior living facilities. One person gave their entire stimulus check as a tip for a take-out order.

Think what you do doesn’t make a difference? It does, my friend. It really does.

One of my greatest weaknesses is how difficult it is for me to be assertive, set boundaries, and say “no.” I frequently feel like everyone wants a piece of me and, as a result, I can please no one. I get stressed, and then I am not my best self. This feeling inspired me to rewrite the lyrics to Billy Squier’s “Everybody Wants You.” To give you a taste, here’s the second verse:

You crave approval, so you always say, “Yes.”
Perhaps tomorrow you won’t feel quite so stressed.
Rushing from work to your volunteer post
You dream of old age; maybe then you’ll get to coast.
Everyone relies on your vast energy.
You haven’t had a rest since the last century.
You always bite off more than you can chew.
You never get free — everybody wants you.

I’ve written before about the importance of assertive communication and saying “no,” but my own struggles with assertiveness remind me of how key it is to making a difference.

Unfortunately, we’re often taught that being good means saying “yes,” even when we want to say “no.” “Good” people are self-sacrificing. They give their all to their families, their jobs, their places of worship, and the organizations for which they volunteer. They always put others first.

That’s a recipe for burnout and resentment.

We need to learn to say “no.”

Why?

• When we refuse to assert ourselves, we end up feeling like others are using us. Our mantra is “Nobody appreciates me.” Our saintly exteriors hide hurt and anger. In short, we become martyrs, wishing someone would think of us for a change, but never speaking up.
• As you’ve surely heard before, “put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others” applies to life in general, not just air travel. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t have the energy to take care of others.
• When our “yes” allows people to continue an unhealthy behavior, we aren’t helping them. There’s a word for a such a relationship: codependent.
• If we don’t set priorities and stick with them, we may do a lot without accomplishing the most important things. Suppose your biggest priority is fighting climate change. If you say “yes” to every opportunity that comes your way, you may find that, at the end of the month, you’ve been busy, but you’ve done nothing about the climate. We only have so much time and money. We need to keep in mind that saying “yes” to one thing means saying “no” to something else.
• Our inability to be assertive sets a bad example for others, upholding the notion that the only way to be good is to let others trample all over you.
• We need to allow others to love and serve us the way we love and serve them. If your typical response to “What do you want to eat?” is “Whatever you want to eat,” you put the asker in the role of “taker” and yourself in the role of “giver.” In healthy relationships, you should be willing to let others give, too.

Need help with assertiveness and boundaries? Here are some ideas:

• If you want something harmless, express your desires. Of course life isn’t all about us, and we shouldn’t insist on always having our way. But if you’re normally unassertive, it’s time to start telling people what you want. Let them know what movie you want to see, how you’d like to spend Saturday night, what your hopes and dreams are for the future. If you want something that won’t hurt anyone, you won’t win any medals for never speaking up.
• Pick a reasonable number of priorities (maybe five things) and let them guide your decisions. You may have to reshuffle them from time to time, but living by a list of priorities can be very helpful. Right now I have few appointments outside of work. But prior to staying home to flatten the COVID-19 curve, I started to make scheduling decisions based on my priorities. I was impressed by how it was changing my life for the better. In the past, if someone extended an invitation, I would often say “yes” if I was free. When something came along that mattered more to me, I’d say “no,” because I was already booked. Now I compare the invitation to my priorities. If it isn’t on the list, I’ll say “no,” even if I’m free.
• Be ruthless about blocking off unscheduled time. If you often get cranky when you have three after-work commitments during the week, limit yourself to two. Promise yourself that, barring a genuine emergency (e.g., a friend who just lost their spouse), you will keep the remaining weeknights free. Keep in mind that there may be times when you can take on more or have to scale back. Right now, that might mean that some of us have fewer after-work commitments and more time in our schedules for Zoom meetings. Others might be all Zoomed out and need more time to rest.
• Don’t be afraid to see a therapist. If you’re having trouble setting boundaries or are in a codependent relationship, you may not be able to tackle this on your own. It’s okay to get help.

Note: I wrote this before the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation related to SARS-CoV-2. The legislation includes two weeks of paid sick leave for workers who have to be quarantined or treated for COVID-19. It also includes paid leave at two-thirds salary for people who need more than 14 days to recover or who must care for someone else because of the current pandemic. The Senate is expected to pass the bill this week, and President Trump has said he will sign it.

This is a step in the right direction, but the legislation is temporary and only covers COVID-19. Therefore, while it can help the immediate situation, it doesn’t address future epidemics. What I wrote in the first section below still applies in the long-run.

Americans need paid sick leave.

With COVID-19 all over the news these days, we’re beginning to realize just how important it is to stay home from work when you’re sick. But that’s hard to do if you’re struggling to pay the bills and don’t have paid sick leave. Too many workers, particularly low-wage workers, are forced to choose between staying home when they are sick or losing pay.

Worse, in many states people can be fired for calling in sick, unless their absence is covered under a law such as the Family Medical Leave Act. This leaves many workers, including service workers with whom we interact every day, with no choice but to work when they ought to stay home.

If the U.S. would pass laws requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to employees, we would take a giant step forward toward helping prevent the spread of disease. Clearly, it’s time for us to catch up to the rest of the world.

Those of us who have paid sick leave need to be willing to use it.

Legislation is just the first step. We also need workers to use the sick leave they have.

I’ll confess that I am one of those people who has gone to work when I should have stayed home. Please, Kate. Who is going to die if you don’t come into the office? On the other hand, who might pick up that nasty virus if you don’t stay home?

Of course when someone else comes in sick, I mutter to myself, “Why are they here, spreading their germs around?”

We Americans believe strongly that we have to demonstrate what dedicated workers we are by showing up and powering through, even if we’re ill. (Incidentally, if we’re afraid to take our sick leave, we have a good reason. When I Googled “fired calling in sick,” one related search that popped up was “how to stop employees from calling in sick.”)

Going to work while sick has a definite downside — beyond the fact that it can slow our recovery. Every time we come in sick, we risk the health of our colleagues. We also exert unspoken peer pressure. If Sam comes in sick, then when Terry gets sick, they’ll feel like they should come in too.

It’s time for people like me to vow to reform. If you have sick leave and/or the flexibility to work from home, stop coming in sick. I can see making exceptions to that rule. If you aren’t seriously ill, you probably don’t want to call in sick when you’re starting a new job or have an important, time-sensitive task that cannot be done from home. But be careful not to think that all of your duties are of critical importance. There might be hiccups in our workplace without us, but business will go on.

And if you’re a manager, please set a good example. Stay home when you’re sick. If an employee comes in sick, encourage — perhaps even require — them to go home. If an employee calls in sick, trust them. In all my years at work, I can think of three colleagues who may have been abusing sick leave. I’ve known far more people who have come in when they should have stayed home. I have every reason to believe that most people will not abuse the system if you err on the side of trust.

Two weeks ago I wrote about the importance of creative approaches to world problems. I also shared some examples of what that sort of creativity looks like, from William Wilberforce’s attempts to abolish slavery by first focusing on abolishing the slave trade (a small step, but too big in the eyes of his opponents) to recycling chemically treated flowers into incense sticks in order to keep people from dumping them in the Ganges.

But how do we become more creative and open to creative ideas?

We Nourish Our Creativity By Embracing New Things

I’ve posted before about how getting out of your rut can help you grow. Part of that growth can be in the area of creativity. When I feed my brain new ideas and experiences, I’m giving it more material to work with. I have a broader notion of what’s possible. Here are some ways we can expose ourselves to new things.

• Travel… and don’t settle for just being a tourist. If you travel not merely to see the sites in a different place but to actually get to know the place and the people who live there, you are taking in new ways of thinking. But travel isn’t accessible to everyone. Thankfully there are other ways to exposure yourself to different cultures. Read books, listen to music, and watch television or movies from different parts of the world (not just the U.S. and England). Shop at and eat in immigrant-owned places of business on a regular basis. Be willing to get to know people who are different from yourself.
• Read and watch science fiction. I don’t mean that you only should consume science fiction, but reading about a world with new and different technology is a great way to inspire ideas about what might be possible in the future.
• Hang out with young children, and make yourself open to their ideas. When my child was about three, she sometimes acted out stories with me. Once she wanted to play “The Three Little Pigs,” with me in the role of the wolf. When I said, “Little pig, little pig, let me come in,” she replied, “Come in, Wolf. I’m making pancakes.” I’m ashamed to tell you that I actually responded by correcting her. “No, you’re supposed to say, ‘Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin.'” Later I told my dad about this, and he said something about how wonderful her response was. I realized then that I never should have suggested to her that the story could only be told one way.
• Pretend you are someone else — someone very different from who you are. Take acting classes or try out for a community theater production. Write fiction and spend time mentally walking in the shoes of your characters. Join a role-playing game and play a character who is not simply a fantasy version of yourself.
• Listen to, watch, or read some comedy. A good comedian plays with ideas and words, creating surprising combinations. They are masters of “what if…” For instance, what if someone created a machine that fed factory workers so that they didn’t have to take time off for lunch (Modern Times by Charlie Chaplin)?

We Become More Creative Through Play That Helps Us Think Outside the Box

There’s no reason you can’t start playing with words and ideas, too. Here are some ways you can do that.

• Pick an object and challenge yourself to come up with at least twenty different uses for it. What can you use a fork for besides eating?
• Ask yourself how you could engage in an activity without something that you consider essential to that activity. For example, how could you play soccer without a ball?
• Compare two very different things. In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter asks, “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” Coming up with questions like that and forcing yourself to compare things like dogs and oranges or beds and the ocean is a great way to exercise your creativity. You also can seek out good riddles, like the kind Bilbo and Gollum used to challenge each other in The Hobbit.
• Tackle challenging crossword puzzles. I’m not thinking of crossword puzzles that merely challenge your vocabulary. Either look for American crossword puzzles that use confusing clues for hints, or seek out British cryptic crosswords.
• Take improv classes. You’ll be forced to think on your feet and build on other people’s ideas — both excellent exercises in creativity.

When we’re skilled at thinking outside the box, we’ll be better prepared to change the world through creative solutions to difficult problems.

Want to change the world? You’re going to have to get creative.

We will always have problems to solve. Threats to the environment. Pandemics. Inequality. We should never give up trying to bring about a better world. We also should be willing to accept the fact that we will never live in a utopia.

But if we want to work toward a more just, sustainable world, we need to bring new solutions to our problems. Sometimes we fail to approach problems creatively because we think that what worked in the past will still work, even though the world has changed. Other times we become so attached to an idea that we won’t give it up, even when that idea fails. And all too often we see the world in binaries — if the solution isn’t X, then it must be Y — lacking the imagination to try an approach that combines both X and Y or that is something utterly different from either of them.

Creative solutions can scare us. They challenge our beliefs and can be so wild that they seem unfeasible. They seem too difficult. Why not stick with what we already know? It’s easier to use the same route to get to work, to listen to familiar styles of music, to eat the foods our family ate when we were growing up, to continue to do what we’ve always done. Change, trying new things, is risky, and we tend to be risk averse.

But people who ask “What if…?” are the ones who change the world.

What Creativity Looks Like

• Horrified by slavery, William Wilberforce and others like him asked, “What if we could outlaw the British slave trade?” Around the time of his death, the British Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act.
• After discovering that fair-trade chocolate is not necessarily free of slave labor, Dutch journalists asked, “What if we could distribute a truly slave-free chocolate bar?” The result was the birth of Tony’s Chocolonely.
• Jeremy and Jessica Courtney asked, “What if we were willing to love others — even across enemy lines?” They founded Preemptive Love Coalition, delivering aid to people who need it, often where other organizations are unwilling to go.
• In the face of high recidivism and mortality rates for recently released prisoners, California’s Anti-Recidivism Coalition asked, “What if formerly incarcerated people helped newly released prisoners transition back into society outside prison walls?” The program is by no means a cure-all for the difficulties that newly released prisoners face, but it’s a step in the right direction.
• As India works to clean up the Ganges, someone thought to ask, “What if we got people to stop dropping chemically treated flowers into the river and to recycle them into incense sticks instead?” There are still enormous problems to solve in trying to clean the river, but if people continue to think creatively, there’s hope.
• In this podcast episode from The Forum on Workplace Inclusion, Joel Hodroff and Professor Thomas Fisher discuss the outside-the-box idea of a dual currency system, springing from questions such as “What if we stopped confusing money with wealth?” Listening to that episode was what inspired me to write this two-part series on creativity.

Creativity Won’t Fix Everything, But It Can Change the World

As you can see from the list above, some of these ideas have only made small differences so far. Others are as yet unproven. But all have changed or have the potential to change the world for the better, sometimes in small ways, sometimes in seismic shifts.

So if we want to make a difference, we need to be open to creative ideas. In part two of this series, scheduled for March 2, I’ll share ways we can grow as creative thinkers.