The Struggle Is Real
How The Deeley Team Grew In 2020
Every business is made up of people who are learning to cope with new challenges in their personal lives , dealing with uncertainty and juggling unforeseen responsibilities at home . Support your team with empathy . Check in often and respect each person ’ s unique circumstances . Learn with them and grow with them . Members of the Deeley family share how they thrived in a difficult situation .
Megan Muller , CIC Client Advisor Mom of Chandler ( 10 ) & Merrick ( 7 )
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST STRESSFUL ASPECT OF QUARANTINE ?
Trying to manage a career while having two school-aged children at home amidst so much unknown and constant change . My husband was laid off for a portion of time , so he did the schooling while I worked .
HOW DO YOU STAY POSITIVE DURING SUCH UNCERTAINTY ?
My mantra of late has been “ We can do hard things .” When I feel any angst about the unknown or yet another change that I need to adapt to , I remember that and find comfort in knowing we are all in this together . We will get through and become stronger through the process .
Natasha Malin
Client Support Technician First-Time Mom of Grace ( 1 mo )
WHAT WERE THE GREATEST CHALLENGES YOU FACED DURING QUARANTINE ?
Finding out I was pregnant was a blessing in these uncertain times , but my husband John hasn ’ t been able to go into any of the baby appointments , hear her heartbeat , or be present for sonograms .
HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THOSE CHALLENGES ?
I was able to do a video chat with John while having a sonogram to reveal gender , which was nice .
DID YOU STILL FEEL CONNECTED TO YOUR COLLEAGUES WHILE WORKING REMOTELY ?
I tried to stay as connected as possible . We ’ ve always been a close group , so them not getting to share in the beginning of this journey was sad . Even with quarantine and not being able to get together with friends , family , and coworkers , they have still shown their support by sending us items from our registry and checking in with us to make sure things are going smoothly or to see if we need anything . For this , I am very grateful !
Natasha and John proudly welcomed Grace Elizabeth Malin to the world on Sept . 17 , 2020 .
Meghan Feagans
Client Relations Agent Single Mom of Emma ( 12 ) & Abby ( 9 )
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HARDEST PART OF BEING IN LOCKDOWN ?
Not knowing what is going to happen with school , with work , with friends and family has been difficult . My oldest is in a higher risk category , so we had to take continued precautions even as things slowly opened back up . As stressful as this has been on adults , it ’ s equally stressful on the kids . We talk about what is going on and how they are feeling , limit the news watching ( for their sake and mine ), and focus on what we can control .
HOW IS YOUR FAMILY ADAPTING AND STAYING POSITIVE ?
My girls chose to redecorate their bedrooms and to make their space more unique to them . After all , we were spending more time here than ever before . Virtual sleepovers are a weekly event . There are lots of Facetime calls and crafting happening . They both love to learn , so finding ways to continue to nurture their minds is very important to me .
Amy Bennetta , CIC , CISR Client Relations Agent Mom of Jake ( 26 )
HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN DEELEY WENT REMOTE ?
Thankful that we work for a company that was ahead of the problem — making sure their employees were safe and able to still work .
WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART OF WORKING FROM HOME ?
Isolation . I ’ ve always known I was a people person , but wow ! This experience has proven to me that I am meant to be in a team environment . That ’ s where I excel .
HOW DID YOU STAY POSITIVE ?
Video chats . Zoom and Facebook are wonderful tools . Being able to not only talk to my coworkers but see their faces really helped . And I can dance in my living room all by myself — like no one is watching — because they aren ’ t . LOL !
HOW ’ S BEING BACK IN THE OFFICE ?
It ’ s so hard right now to find a little normalcy in our day-to-day . I find it here , in the office . I feel rejuvenated and productive .