Pandemic Reflections - Aran Lawrence

Meet Aran Lawrence. Aran is self-employed and contracts out his expertise in project management to a range of clients. Aran graduated from our Project Management Diploma in 2018. We asked him to reflect on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted his work-life.

“Before the coronavirus pandemic, I was self-employed with two contracts for my project management services. I was establishing a healthy network of near opportunities for my business to grow.

I left Winnipeg to get married in Los Cabos, Mexico, in early March and came back at the heightened national state of alert/lockdown. When I arrived back to Winnipeg, I was told by Canada Customs to self-isolate for two weeks, which I was happy about at first because I needed two weeks of sleep after my vacation. The staycation seemed like God's gift until I realized the impact to my contracts and those workplaces.

The physical distancing measures meant that I could not return to either contract after I had finished self-isolating. I provided technical support for a high school, that was closed and will likely be closed for the remainder of the year. I also worked on digital media projects that required entering public spaces.

Personally, I am always working on something. I was always capable and able to work, but due to the restrictions couldn’t until very recently. So I used the time to learn some new skills. This month the loosening of the physical distancing measures has allowed me to regain a small capacity of work.

I am coping well when I compare myself to other people that I have been speaking to about the change. I feel you have to see the opportunity in things, otherwise, the negativity can have a waterfall effect. I decided to take the time to learn something new that I had been putting off for years. I have time to make proper meals these days, so I whipped out some of the old cookbooks. I think more importantly I have been speaking to family and friends, before Covid-19, I wouldn't have had the time to speak to. It made me realize how much I missed certain people, and how much I had taken this time we have on earth for granted.

Each person is dealing with this pandemic differently, I think having a level scale of optimism and pessimism helps. We can all be optimistic about returning to regular life, but still, be cautious of the coronavirus. Also that returning to work can be very worrying, but be optimistic that the conditions of your workplace will be the safest they have ever been.”