Our ability to accept the surreal, adapt and keep moving forward, is a fantastic human quality right now.

Upon collecting my dad's prescription yesterday, I was surprised how easy it was for me to accept something that just 6 weeks ago would have seemed so out of the norm, so unimaginable, something positively dystopian.

The doctor's surgery had locked their doors and erected a barrier outside: "do not cross."

People quietly queued 2 metres apart, without fuss or complaint. Each waiting for their chance to yell from behind the barrier, through the locked door, to the doctor's receptionist on the other side.

Most people were collecting prescriptions. As each of us took it in turns to shout out our names and our medical needs (so they could be heard through the glass door) - patient confidentiality was not really on anyone's mind.

No one explained the new system. Each person entering the doctor's car park joined the back of the queue, observed, and quietly adapted accordingly.

This system could be described as crude. It could also be described as innovative and highly effective.

As the receptionist authorised people to cross the barrier, she passed their prescription through the paper-thin gap in the closed door, wearing protective gloves for both her safety and the safety of the patient.

When we were all having our Christmas lunch, just a few months ago, nobody could have imagined the changes that we would be currently facing. 

Despite everything, businesses and employees are adapting to the surreal and moving forward. 

The way we interact with our clients, our teams, our suppliers, the way we shop for bread and milk or even how we exercise - everything has changed, and everyone has needed to innovate and adapt. 

I wonder how you are adapting to the surreal?

Managing a small business during the Corona Virus outbreak:

A tap has been turned off, in the blink of an eye - all revenue is falling away. This is the experience of many small businesses, mine included.

We know that the taps will be open again, but we don't know when. Most of us, who have battled on through the Credit Crunch, Great Recession and Brexit uncertainty have little or no reserve. We are the JAM's of the business world (Just about Managing).

The government knows that with the taps closed, the death of many businesses is imminent. Their response is to offer us bottled water, to keep us going. With bottled water you cannot bathe your children, wash your clothes or even shower yourself, but... you can survive.

With bottled water and determination, we can hold out until the taps switch on again. Even when you switch a tap off, a few drops will still flow. In this difficult time, I still have hope for the future.

By keeping positive, adapting our services and evolving the way we work, we can survive. Talk to customers, understand their challenges. Working from home can be isolating and lonely, they may not be able to buy your services right now - but they will appreciate your time. They will appreciate your effort.

My final thought for today - Pick up the phone, where possible and talk. Talk to clients, suppliers, staff - keep talking, keep sharing and find ways to support one another.