Take Care of Each Other
By: Cameron Diehl, CFP®
Friends – Raymond James’ Mission Statement begins with “Our business is people and their financial well-being.” This has always resonated with me on a number of levels, but primarily because it puts people first. This focus has never been more important than today with the current pandemic we’re all facing. With the idea of putting people first in mind, I wanted to share some thoughts on how I’ve been focusing my time.
At first, with so much negative news affecting so many, it became overwhelming and felt as if there wasn’t anything that could be done to make a difference. And then I heard Algebra of Happiness author Scott Galloway discuss this topic on a recent episode of his podcast where he framed the idea of thinking through concentric circles of care. Since then, I’ve tried to implement his ideas in my circles to support others through this difficult time. For anyone interested in doing the same, I’ve paraphrased the approach below to hopefully serve as a helpful framework.
- Start with Yourself – The types of disruptions we’re all experiencing can be extremely taxing. The combination of added stress and the tendency to become more sedentary when we’re stuck at home (not to mention comfort food and an extra drink or two at night) can have a very negative effect on our physical and mental health. With that in mind, start by practicing self-care. One of the simplest tips I’ve heard is: “Eat better, drink less and exercise more.” That’s not to say you shouldn’t indulge a bit, especially given the circumstances, but just look for ways to moderate the impact. It’s hard to take care of others if you’re not in a good place yourself. There’s a reason they tell you to put your mask on first on airplanes.
- Take Care of Your Family – Next, look to your family. Make sure the people closest to you are doing OK. Who can you reach out to and help get through this? Whether it’s with your spouse, children, parents or siblings. Reach out more often. Ask how they are. Show appreciation. Provide comfort. Make sure they’re logistically safe and offer to bring them things if needed.
- Reach Out to Friends – After your family, check in on your immediate circle of friends. This could also include colleagues and clients. Reach out especially to anyone who may find themselves alone, in a position of economic hardship or more generally prone to anxiety. Check in with them. Call. Text. Provide company even if from a distance. Suggest resources they might find useful and offer to make connections where you can.
- Play Offense in Your Community – Finally, after you’ve played defense with your closest relationships, look for ways to become proactive in helping in your community. Reach out to organizations you believe in and ask how you can help – whether it is through donations or volunteering or offering some other type of skill or service. Contact a local food bank. Volunteer to deliver groceries to seniors. Give blood. And maybe the easiest thing to do is tip a little extra. Restaurants, delivery services and other hospitality industries are being hit particularly hard right now. You’ll likely never miss a few extra dollars but you may just make someone’s day.
Finally, if any of you are struggling right now and you could use some help, personally or professionally, or even just want to talk, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know. We’re here for you and always happy to help.
