Times may be tough, but there is plenty to be optimistic about, says Sheffield business leader

However, I feel the trials and tribulations of the earlier lockdowns has been us more resilient and the precautions we are being asked to take more embedded in our behaviours.

Few of us now leave home without our masks, we are more aware of social distancing and washing hands is routine.

The latter has not only been beneficial to reduce spread of the coronavirus but other common infections.

It would be easy to focus of what we cannot do, but within sensible limits there are many things we can do and every reason to be positive.

We can still go safely to work or do so remotely at home. Our children can go to school in a safe environment and more surveillance of the safety of our care home residents is being applied.

Businesses have become more innovative and creative to survive, prosper and that will become a core organisational attribute.

That gives us reason to be more optimistic and cope better with the latest restrictions.

Job losses continue, but Government support has been maintained and will have to be increased, particularly in both stimulating the economy and retraining schemes.

If we can keep our self discipline and maintain our morale then we can look forward to an enjoyable and relaxing Christmas, albeit with taking sensible precautions.

We should not wait for those celebrations to be more neighbourly and kind to those around us who need our care and consideration.

Loneliness and mental health is still a blight on our society and we can all give a smile, kind word and where necessary support to those in need, particularly those not well known to us.

Volunteering has flourished during the lockdowns to their personal benefit but also to those who have received their much valued support.

Those volunteers indeed may be motivated after the pandemic to give more support to charitable activities and benefit the community as a result as well as their own personal development.

Not only will we be more resilient, but the NHS will have learnt better ways of doing things as well as our local public health authorities improving our test and trace resources.

There are many things we can still do, while exercising sensible caution and can indeed look forward to Christmas if we all pull together.

Latest optimistic news on vaccines should also motivate us to keep the faith, enjoy Christmas and learn to be less fearful, but retaining our good habits of self discipline.