The pandemic may have been the trigger that initially caused people to leave their jobs in masses in 2021. There were approximately over 75.5 million resignations in 2021 in America alone.

As the pandemic continued, despite the high unemployment rate and labor shortages, employees voluntarily left their jobs in 2021. These 'new normal' conditions and the decisions being made by the average American led to what has been, and is currently being called, 'The Great Resignation".

During the period of 2020 and 2021 the World was experiencing unprecedented circumstances. The pandemic forced hard decisions at every level. Governments were forced to implement mandatory curfews and business closures. Businesses at all levels faced the difficult decision of closing their doors, while still having to consider how to  pay their employees, keep the lights on, keep the brand alive, pay their rents or mortgages and basically survive with no clear end date.

Individuals were sent home to, in some cases, work from home, while in other cases, to just go home. There were no financial guarantees of income. Families had to make cuts and adjustments to their bottom-line, again, with no end date projected.

We had to make hard decisions and prioritize our lives, our expenses and  our choices. These were difficult choices from top to bottom. We saw the ugly side of corporate America where employees, clients, projects and spending became a very self-centered decision. My constant reminder... if or when the plane is going to crash, "put on your own oxygen mask first".

While this message, "put on your own oxygen mask first", may seem selfish, it is the harsh truth about life. It is not meant to be totally about self preservation, but rather about saving yourself first, so that you may then be able to save others.  However, there were too many cases of just save yourself and not worry about the others.

There is nothing wrong with self-preservation, but when you are truly faced with the decision of self-preservation and you realize that, while there are others who depend on you,  you must understand the importance of "put on your own oxygen mask first", so that you are able to help others.

The 'New Normal' and the 'Great Resignation' have come as a result of the experiences from COVID-19. 

I personally think that there are a number of factors that have,  and continue, to influence people to follow the trend of 'The Great Resignation''

• Change in personal priorities - putting yourself and your family/loved ones first.
• Self-preservation - realizing that you are truly responsible for yourself first.
• Self-dependency- be more in control of your own income and future
• End of life reality - tomorrow is not promised, live your best life today
• Quality of life is more important that the quantity of money - Steve Jobs would have paid anything for a longer life.

One Choice by Mac Anderson: "One tree can start a forest, One smile can begin a friendship, One hand can lift a soul, One word can frame the goal, One candle can wipe out darkness, One laugh can conquer gloom, One hope can raise our spirits, And...one choice can change your life.

My resolution coming out of the 'New Normal' and the 'Great Resignation' - Live the life you love, surround yourself with people who bring you joy and happiness, have a plan for tomorrow but live every day to the fullest by making a personal choice to be HAPPY!!!