Well for me, my big time to turn lemons into lemonade happened 3.5 years ago when I found myself in huge debt and had to reinvent things. That's when I decided to monetize my existing blog (and take on 2 part time jobs to survive for 1st 2 years. 3.5 years later, I got rid of $238,000 in debt and have a very successful and somewhat passive business that can be done from home, or a coffee shop or anywhere else (once it's safe) and a way to fund my retirement.

As it turns out, it was serendipitous and when this whole pandemic struck, I could work from home (which is important for me as I'm immuno compromised). While it kind of stinks that I need to stay in my apartment, I'm thankful that I can work here and not have to worry much.

I'm not going to say that the pandemic didn't impact my business.  It did as ad revenue went down, affiliate fees were reduced, some programs paused and blah blah blah. So I've had to pivot several times.

But, now I've innovated and created additional income sreams and funnels and products which are more controlable and I believe insulates and protects my business. And it even resulted in revenue and profit growth, so my business is much stronger now and more recession proof.  Clearly nothing is recession proof, but I'm more diversified and less dependent on things I can't control.  I'm focusing more on the things I can control (things like product creation, emails, funnels, etc.)

I've also spent a lot more time on the phone w/ friends and other bloggers, and that has been great.

Agreed! Having been through way worse than our pandemic last year, and 3 other times in my life, I really never emotionally felt the full weight of this pandemic. I've seen worse, so I keep perspective emotionally and intellectually.

Instead, I saw it as a challenge to create a plan to maintain immunity, health and mental health. To have a positive attitude plan in place through reading, exercise and setting some SIP goals.

We created a marriage plan for handling shelter in place and we're thriving as a result as a couple.

I created a communication goal for my business, and business is booming and my relationships with some clients became more robust for it.

I decided on 3/17/2020 to be a better man, husband and business owner for it. To be able to look back with pride for how I behaved and handled it. To never cave-in to the chicken-little-doomsdayers nor other individuals and groups with negative attitudes and to not watch the news more than 30 minutes a day if that. Many days I never do. It's all perspective, this is simply not the worst thing I've had to deal with in my life, so it it's not, I can't allow it to become more than it is to me.

Forget the lemonade and go for martinis with a twist and lemon meringue pie. The business did not stop or slow down it just pivoted and we learn how to deal with the challenges. Personally, I have been working with more buyers in the last six months than in my thirty years.

Annette,

Like Carol Williams stated, there were so many wonderful posts written on the subject in June.  By nature we have a work around mind.  We find ways to enjoy our life regardless of the circumstances.  We are blessed to have clients who are forward thinking and we were creating marketing projects for them and for ourselves...work was here for us, and we are blessed with the beach, and 54 markets within reasonable driving distance (no shortages or insane lines).  A

Working hard while practicing safe distancing with common sense and great technology.

Instead of surrendering common sense (herd mentality) use circumstances to strengthen by not doubting what you know to be true within your own heart....Failure to engage properly produces unrest, conflict, hesitation and a cold heart driven by fear. You now have triggered deterioration of self

I do agree. 

There is always opportunity.  Always. 

Squeeze the holy heck out of it and smile ... smile ... smile ... and serve with a helping, kind, compassionate heart. 

All of that with a side of limoncello is a formula for happiness and success 😂

The June Challenge had a whole bunch of posts that were testaments to the positive that has and will come from the pandemic crisis. Too bad all those posts were lost.  Maybe someday they will be restored.

There will always be those who think the lemonade is TOO sour(or sweet or TOO anything).  When you(I mean "I") is identified as  the solution with an attitude/focus adjustment one can find the answer that works best.  

Vote ALL the Congressional bigwigs and those subscribing to socialist agendas out of office. That would be a tall cooling glass of lemonade

Add some vodka!  Seriously, keep a positive attitude, appreciate the time with family and seek ways to broaden your scope that you've not tried before that could be a new business revenue stream. If you have some time to volunteer and didn't before, do it! You'll be giving of yourself and you never know who you might bump into while volunteering that may be looking to buy or sell a home. Spend some times in your local shops and restaurants. If you haven't made the effort to talk with the owners who most likely are working in the shops/restaurants, do it now. Let them know you appreciate them and happy to patronize their business in these tough times. Get to know your community if you've been to busy before. Join some local FB groups, are just a few ways that may expand your network, (all with safe social distancing).  

And when you come home, has some lemonade to relax, (with vodka if desired)! :) 

Actually, I been working harder, getting postcards out, online marketing, just stepping it up. You don't know what tomorrow will bring.

I am reading fiction on my balcony and enjoying the breeze. Retirement can have some benefits from sheltering in place.

Annette no hard feelings but every  one either attributes this to  Winston Churchill or  to Ram Emanuel the real story is that: It was Niccolo Machiavelli who wrote, " Never waste the opportunity offered by a good crisis." now with that said it takes Leadership and Strength to overcome it.... I have 19 listings and one in Escrow as we speak... I do not listen to the News, I do not panic, I answer my phone, reply to texts and reply to emails... and that is how I make Lemonade, Endre

I have facemask with the name of my company on them.