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One year ago, today, on March 17, 2020, San Francisco Mayor London Breed issued the first stay-at-home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Since then, it has been a year of constant change and adaptation. 

Since the beginning of March 2020, when the lockdown gradually extended across the world as an initial response to the rapid spread of the virus, few may have thought that a full year later we would still find ourselves in a world defined by restrictions on public gatherings and remote work.

This reality has separated us from our loved ones, friends, and colleagues, which has forced us to adapt our behaviors to adapt to the “new normal”.

Today we wanted to take this opportunity to reflect, acknowledge and share a few of the positive outcomes and perspectives of our GSG team members.  We invite you to share and comment, adding your own experiences and perspectives so that others may benefit from your viewpoints!

What are some positive things that have happened to you in the last year?

Andrew McDonald – Director of Strategic Accounts

“For me as interesting of a year as it was, I was able to land an incredible new job and my wife and I welcomed our daughter Avery into the world. It’s hard to not feel so fortunate even though we are going through a global pandemic. Along with that, if it were not for COVID; I wouldn’t have been able to spend so much time with my daughter as currently my wife and I are both working from home. There are pros and cons to everything in life, but personally and professionally I had a very positive year.” 

David Gonzalez – Executive Director, Talent Acquisition

“Spending more quality time with my family.  Breakfast, lunch and breaks are spent with family.  Having greater visibility on my son’s education. Topics he is studying, where he is doing well and where he needs help.”

Helda Müller – Manager, Engagement, Sales & Client Service

“The fact that we work remote means less time commuting and traveling.  I find I see my daughter much more than I used to see her during the week.  The short moments here and there, these moments are precious to a parent and even more so to a child.  Numerous consultants I connect with share this same sentiment.”

What are some of your biggest lessons learned in the last year?

Deanna Silverman – Human Resource Manager

“I have learned that the connections I have with my team members are so important to me. I feel supported on so many levels even though we are not in the same space. I was surprised that you can have strong connections and meaningful conversations even though you are on video calls.”

Helda Müller – Manager, Engagement, Sales & Client Service

“It is important to make exercise and balance a priority. It is too easy to get stuck for hours in one position and repeating the pattern throughout the week if there is no discipline and structure to make it a priority.”

Andrew McDonald – Director of Strategic Accounts

“I’ve learned to not take small things for granted. Socializing with family, friends and colleagues were a part of everyday life before COVID. Now, every interaction is special and intentional. Though as much as I miss the personal connections, it is way more important to be safe then selfish. There are alternative ways to interact without risking your families, friends and your health.”

Deanna Silverman – Human Resource Manager

“This pandemic can make you feel helpless at times, but you can still make a difference. Even though we were quarantined at home GSG got involved with One Warm Coat. We collected 138 coats and wrote personal notes that were placed in the pockets. It was a team effort on two coasts and three countries (US, South Africa, and India). I was so emotional throughout our coat drive because I saw firsthand that there is always something we can do to help others. With most of us isolated from others and only interacting with our immediate household, this drive was a great way to reinforce our community ties.”

How have you maintained focus at work during the last year?

David Gonzalez – Executive Director, Talent Acquisition

“Keeping a legitimate workspace is imperative.  Do not disturb note on the door helps too.”

Helda Müller – Manager, Engagement, Sales & Client Service

“Team support and engagement.  Connecting with people all over the world and realizing we all have the same challenges, hope and fears, supporting each other to find the positive moments, the laughter, empathy with others, the connection to see even the smallest positive impact you can have on others throughout the day. And consistency and structure, sharing a clear vision of how to succeed will assist in meeting and exceeding those goals.”

Deanna Silverman – Human Resource Manager

“It’s so important to start your work day as if you were still commuting. I still take the time to decide what I am going to wear to work and create a morning routine that motivates me to tackle the day. I am extremely lucky to have a very supportive family. They respect my time in the “office” which allows me to be productive and focused every day without any distractions.”

How have you maintained a work-life balance during the last year?

Andrew McDonald – Director of Strategic Accounts

“Ironically, that is the hardest part for me and probably a lot of professionals. We no longer leave the office and “un-plug” on our drive home. As convenient as it is to be at home and not commuting, you truly have to be disciplined and force yourself to “un-plug” and focus your energy on your family, compared to an outstanding task that can be completed in the next room.”

Deanna Silverman – Human Resource Manager

“I do struggle with life and work balance. It’s hard to not blend the two together. It’s easy to work longer days since you are not commuting. My resolution this year (2021) is to try and separate the two.”

Any great advice you received in the last year that you’d like to share?

David Gonzalez – Executive Director, Talent Acquisition

“Eat your vitamins.”

Helda Müller – Manager, Engagement, Sales & Client Service

“Always focus on how you can improve something for someone else, help and support them and add value.  Do the right thing, then do the next right thing.  There is always room for improvement, be a part of the solution…. don’t just talk about it!

“Set meetings for 25min instead of 30min so you have the 5min to regroup in between. Schedule breaks in your calendar – Then move away even if it is for 5min.”

Deanna Silverman – Human Resource Manager

“My best advice is to be grateful even when things are challenging. There is always good to be found.”

Moving Forward

It is with these positive outcomes, advice and learning we focus to recharge and remind ourselves that this too shall pass, and we look forward to the future when we can hug, laugh and celebrate with family and friends, work near others, and travel!  It will do us good to look back into history to learn that in the face of all types of past tragedies and crisis – war, famine, and plagues – the resilient human spirit has prevailed when acting as a collective and not as isolated individuals and countries.


“Don’t look back – you’re not going that way” – Anonymous

“Reflect upon your present blessings – – of which every man has many – – not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”- Charles Dickens.

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” – Soren Kierkegaard


Granite Solutions Groupe has been providing people and solutions that deliver for our clients since 1998. Our consultants are diverse, experienced, driven and dynamic contributors who excel at getting things done.  To find out more about how we can give your team support, reach out to engage@granitesolutionsgroupe.com.