Opinions expressed in this article are personal and does not reflect my professional associations.
Life seems to finally adapt to the new reality in the past one month of lockdown. Right from
veggie shopping to working from home, everything seems to be slowly adapting in its new normal. I paused to see my "lockdown learnings" for the past 30 days. A famous and my favourite quote from Alvin Tofler comes to mind, The month has been all of “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn. ”.
We were experiencing unprecedented changes over the past few years, technology, economy, politics everything, the COVID-Lockdown has accelerated everything at speed of light. Life was always survival of the fittest, now it will be the survival of the one who can adapt the fastest. Adaptation requires Learning, Unlearning and Relearning at a pace that is faster than the speed of thought.
At the start 30 days ago, I had a list not a plan, being an optimist I wanted to make the best use of this opportunity. The long list that I made included items for work and personal. Anything from getting certifications in certain technology to getting in touch with my passion. AWS Training & Certification, Residents Welfare, Putting my innovations onto a piece of paper Restart Practising music, fitness Restart all my Raspberry PI's, Photography, Gardening, and the list had many more items.
While I was able to do many of the items on the list, I realised among many things in my list, a few things top the learnings in the three categories from Professional, Personal, and Social.
Professional Learnings:
Commute to office can completely be avoided, one can be as effective from home as they would be from work, almost all professions. After all when a job can be shipped 6000 Kms another 30Kms is not a thing. People will adapt no matter what.
Discipline at work is important, no matter working from home or office, WFH one can lose track of time either doing personal chores or work-related items. WFH, in general, should only mean, the workplace is home, nothing else changes.
Personal Learnings:
Hobbies and Passions add meaning to life that will be uniquely yours, associated with memories, and relive those unique moments. This reenergises and provides the much-required push, it is never too late to pick up a hobby.
Everyone is perfectly capable of being productive without the umpteen coffee breaks and in-person meetings. Communication skills become extremely important. Note to self, you do not need a meeting room to do an effective meeting.
Social Learnings:
Humans are social beings, interaction with other beings is part of the existence, to establish a network, identify and be a part of the community is paramount lack of which can lead to extreme frustrations.
"Count your blessings and share it" not everyone is fortunate enough, life can change in just a moment. Even if you don't think it is enough for you, sharing what you have is just enough.
Adapting either for business or individuals are the same, those who do not get left behind, In the above video Dr.Christensen explains how established leaders got left behind when adapting to the new did not happen. Every passing day I am convinced that we have risen up to the occasion and have engaged in the most positive way. The resilience that is built into this DNA is encouraging and will emerge better, stronger and wiser.
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