Don’t just burn the effigy: Heeding the wake-up call of 2020

It was New Year’s Eve in the Honduran mountain town where my husband and I were serving as Peace Corps Volunteers. Robed in thick sweaters, we were mesmerized by the dancing flames of the bonfires that each family put on the dirt streets in front of their homes. Like Christmas Eve, there were traditional foods, drinks, music, fireworks, and bonfires. New Year’s Eve was celebrated the same way — or so I thought. 

I was startled when I stumbled upon the biggest celebratory difference. 

As we turned a corner in our neighborhood, I could practically feel my pupils shrink from the light of the flames that were much bigger than the standard bonfire. Once my eyes adjusted, my celebratory feelings turned to fear and panic and nausea as I saw what was burning. I saw a body tied to a chain link fence. The sudden popping of firecrackers accosted my ears, making me feel dizzy. 

When my respected neighbors started cheering, I knew that what I thought was happening must be at odds with what was actually happening. 

Although all of this probably happened over a second or two, it felt like an eternity before I realized that they were burning an effigy. They had essentially made a scarecrow to burn as a rebuke to the year they were closing out. 

Good riddance, they were saying to the year.

Good riddance, 2020!

The entire globe has been wishing 2020 a good riddance, as well. Some approach it with humor, such as dressing up the digits 2-0-2-0 with scary Halloween costumes. Others use it as an excuse to disengage from the world, posting a “Waiting until 2020 is over” sign on the rock they’re hiding under. 

I’ve got some tough love for those of you who think that the conclusion of 2020 means an automatic betterment of your lives. 

2020 was not a bad luck year. 

2020 was a wake-up call.

In Honduras, they may burn an effigy to wish away the past year, but they also bring out a baby doll to represent the new year and the care that is required of it. 

This is an important reminder that you can make jokes of wishing away the prior year, but that you must give dedicated time and attention to the next year. And that wake-up call is telling us that we better step up our game as we enter the new year.

So stop joking around about 2020. 

Get out from under that damn rock. 

Do not depend on an election or a vaccine to make your 2021 better. They may improve your lives and your communities after time, and they may be very valid sources of hope, but they are external to you. Right now, you need to do what’s in your control to tend to that new year that’s about to be born.

Caring for 2021

When I started Cresta Solutions in March 2020, I knew that I wanted to help people (especially those who are purpose-driven) learn how to lead projects that produce lasting, breakthrough results. I wanted to focus on preparing and empowering them to determine innovative solutions for their problems, as well as on how to lead changes, initiatives, and transformations.

“That’s a good idea,” they said. “The world needs more innovation, more transformation,” they said.

A week later, an unprecedented global pandemic hit.

“Wow, the world really truly needs more innovation, more transformation,” they now say.

And so I challenge you here: How are you going to care for 2021 in its infancy? 

Are you going to heed the wake-up call that was 2020?

Do not just burn 2020 as an effigy. Reflect on it. Learn from it. Appreciate it.

Thank 2020 for putting a spotlight on the many injustices in the world.

Thank 2020 for helping you better appreciate your family, your community, and preschool teachers. (Oh, you wonderful, angelic preschool teachers!)

Thank 2020 for reminding you that change is inevitable, that innovation is necessary, and that you are capable of leading both.

Let’s take action

If you’re interested in learning more about how to lead change and innovation, I hope that you’ll learn with me. Here are a few ways:

1. Grab my Resource Guide "5 Steps to Leading Strategic Initiatives in Times of Change". (It’s still my free gift to you at the time this post is published!)
2. Join the waiting list for my course “Refresh: Intro to Straight-Forward Project Management for Innovative Results”. (I just successfully ran the beta version, so the next iteration will be released in early 2021.)
3. Invest in Project Coaching, where you bring me in to help you get lasting results from your projects. (I recommend the Strategy coaching package!)

It is through taking proactive steps like these that you will heed the wake-up call of 2020 and go into 2021 ready to lead the transformations that you are capable of making. 

Don’t just burn the effigy. Learn and take action!

On a final note, I want to acknowledge the devastation that Hurricanes Eta and Iota brought to the Honduran people, and to Central Americans more broadly, in November 2020. The damage is catastrophic and ongoing. I would encourage you to consider these regions when making your donations this year.

With so much gratitude,

Megan

P.S. Start now by getting my Resource Guide "5 Steps to Leading Strategic Initiatives in Times of Change" while it’s still free! (as of the date this post was published)