BUSINESS AS USUAL - Or is it?
On March 11, 2020, I was riding the Sky Train, having just left my National Travel Conference in a posh downtown Vancouver hotel - on my way for a quick visit with my brother and his family, in White Rock.
That was the day before, the pandemic was officially declared, the world shut down, and my new mantra for the next 2+ years would be "WTF'.
Between the pandemic, shut down of travel (aka my livelihood), the US political hi-jinx and living in isolation watching the death count climb; it was not Business as Usual - WTF?!
I showed up at my desk everyday, communicated with stranded clients and friends, convincing them it was not a hoax and not safe to stay, trying to get them home as quickly as possible ... it was not Business as Usual - WTF?!
Continuing to pay my fees, licenses, certifications, training, and all costs associated with my career and keeping the port holes open, with no way of earning a living.
At times, going backwards financially (kudos to my host agency for slashing and waiving their fees as best they could, while maintaining their open doors for us), but still determined to ride it out.
After all, we were all in the same storm, although as it turned out, in many different boats.
Recently, I came across a blog by one of my favourite writers and admen, Cole Schafer:
*Cole typing*
"Business as usual" is a shorter way of saying ... while everything is going to hell in a handbasket, we're still showing up every day, at the hours on our door and we're still manning this goddamn ship despite the hurricane and you're still welcome aboard any time you like. "
*Syndi typing again*
That hit home, like a water squall during the perfect storm.
Photo: Riding the Wave
I continued to write, sending out newsletters, enticing people with travel and destinations, to far away lands ... keeping the travel dreams alive. And let me just say how appreciative I am, for those who continued to show up, for all my hair brain ideas!
Even enlisted many of my suppliers to hop on board, do webinars to unique and interesting places, while introducing my peeps to new travel styles (and Zoom!).
Still ... on a daily basis, at least a few times a day, declaring WTF?!
Fast forward and here I am ... still standing .... vaxed and boostered ... working away at the vocation that I love, with a revised business model.
Photo: Travelling Planning is my 'Thang'
Yes, I now (consistently) charge Service / Planning / Booking / Professional Fees, whatever you want to call them, for my assistance.
Because I've ridden the storm, unswervingly shown up (well maybe swerved a little - w(h)ine consumption went up) - with product training, licenses, knowlege and expertise - with an everchanging and sometimes volatile, travel environment - on a dally basis.
There are days when my brain hurts, when I get push back (only rarely) from people who don't think they should have to pay for my experience or connections/relationships in the biz "because they can do it themselves or find someone else who can" ... and where I still say WTF?!
But gratefully, more often than not, it's the people who can't thank me enough ... for navigating them through the dark waters on an ocean of uncertainty ... and that's when I declare ...
It's just Business as Usual, baby!
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