January 11, 2021
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McMaster logo
With the last weekend of September 2020 behind us (and what a beautiful weekend it was) we are now fully and completely on the Fall 2020 fast track. I am amazed at how quickly the last few weeks went by and can only imagine how busy you all have been across the institution.
The recent confirmation that McMaster University will be predominantly remote for working, teaching and learning until the spring seems like a very good time to look back at all we have accomplished over the last 7 months, as a means of propelling us forward. It may feel like every day is a scene out of Groundhog Day, yet there has been so much productivity and accomplishment that we were most definitely not just reliving the same day over and over!
In fact, the value of looking back and enumerating successes and accomplishments can be very helpful for teams as they proceed into new challenges and changes. The reminder of past successes really does create a sense of accomplishment and pride and that can help us with our resilience as we face whatever comes next. There are many amazing things that have been accomplished across units, departments, and Faculties as we adjusted to remote delivery models and faced a whole new kind of Fall semester. I encourage everyone to take time to make a list of things you have accomplished, big or small, since March. I am guessing you will be surprised!
From an institutional perspective, McMaster IT personnel worked together across campus and:
What an amazing summer of getting things done! And this is not even touching on many important and specific goals that were achieved in each department or Faculty. If I have overlooked something you feel was a major accomplishment, please share!
Celebrating success, and being very specific about itemizing those successes, is always worth your time. And we don’t do enough of it. It can remind you that over time, so much gets done! When you are having a day of feeling less motivated, that can really help.
I cannot thank you all enough for your continued dedication and energy – I know I speak for all McMaster senior leadership when I tell you just how grateful we are for you.
Have a great week as we swing into October!
January 11, 2021