As I reflect on everything that has happened since the pandemic started, I recognize I have primarily been operating in a survival mode. For the past year, most of my personal and work-related decisions have been affiliated with day-to-day tasks and very short-term thinking.  There were months when I essentially stopped planning or working toward any long-term goals. This was because I was discouraged that the moment I thought I had a plan mapped out, the school teaching model would change, and my kids suddenly had two days off to allow time for the teachers to adjust. Or, a new CDC recommendation would come out, and plans to gather with friends or family were canceled. Planning for anything beyond a few days seemed futile, and I lost focus on any long-term goals.