If you are resident in the Melbourne metro area, where we are in Stage 4 Corona defence mode, I am sure that like me you are adopting a positive attitude and making the best of things.

Really, all things considered, it’s probably improved my lifestyle and bank account. With only an hour’s exercise allowable each day it’s made me cram as much value into that hour as I can, limited shopping time means we only buy “need to have” not unnecessary “nice to have” stuff and with no entertainment options we’re saving on dining out and tickets and getting value out of Netflix and the rest.

Now, I do sympathise with those who are really suffering having lost their jobs, home schooling children and all the other trials and tribulations. My heart goes out to them and I try to help wherever I can.

Some of my clients are reporting better than normal results because they are able to spend time doing work they would have neglected or improving efficiency, for example.

A case in point.

Near us, in country like surroundings, is a roadside greengrocery stand known to everyone as the “Big Watermelon” because of the huge sign out front. Like Topsy, it has just “growed” over the years to quite a big operation. Really, until recently, it was a random collection of stalls that you wandered around to find what you were looking for.

Then Covid hit and the owner was forced to rearrange things so that shoppers could shop in social distancing comfort.

Boy, has that changed things!

Now you must take the only entrance and walk one way past every stall in the place. The fruit and vegetables are arranged so attractively that you are compelled to buy more, lots more. Stuff you hadn’t come to buy or you even knew you needed. Impulse buying in overdrive!

The result… the average sale per shopper has shot up hugely. The owner is happy and so are the customers.

As proof, my wife went to buy two bunches of rhubarb and came home with the rhubarb and two boxes piled high with great fruit and vegies!

The lesson for us? Don’t suffer and wallow in these tough times; think how you can make them work for you, your family, your friends or your community.

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