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State of emergency worldwide. A virus is paralyzing everything and creating a completely new reality overnight. How does society change when everything suddenly becomes slower, less, and also lonelier? How do we deal with this new reality?
Where are the opportunities in this unprecedented global crisis? For us as a society and also for each one of us?
Perhaps you know the story of the two shoe salesmen in the desert. There’s one salesman who says, “I can't sell shoes, it's far too hot, nobody wants or needs shoes!” And he doesn't sell a single pair. The other shoe salesman, on the other hand, says, “Hey, that's exactly my angle! It's far too hot here, people are burning their feet, I'll sell shoes non-stop!” And indeed, he makes the deal of his life.
Everything is a matter of perspective and viewpoint – one sees it as a catastrophe, the other as an opportunity. Our thoughts control our feelings. Our feelings drive us to act, our actions lead to results, and the sum of these results ultimately shapes our lives.
Be ready for something new, because courage is on the other side of fear!
A society that is geared towards speed is suddenly completely slowed down. We find ourselves in a kind of forced pause. Many people find it difficult to let go of their habits and rituals. Rituals are good and important, they provide security, but sometimes they also lead to rigidity, even immobility. We are in an exceptional situation that no one can change. And nobody knows how long this condition will last. Despair, insecurity, fear or anger don't get us anywhere. Nevertheless, it is important to become aware of one's doubts and fears and to talk about them. Every crisis requires change.
Basically, the entire world - economically and socially - is currently in a process of change. Such a Change process goes through different phases:
Phase 1: Shock! One falls into a paralysis – unfortunately, many hold onto it for a long time.
Phase 2: Denial! Behind it lies the need for security. One doesn't want to believe it and asks: Why did this happen now? Can't it somehow be undone? One is not willing to say goodbye (or at least take a break) from the accustomed life, with the motto: "That doesn't concern us anyway.
Phase 3: Insight into the necessity of change. One practically resigns to one's fate.
Only when these phases are completed, can one reorient and move on to the next phases:
Phase 4: Acceptance of reality. One lets go of old behaviors.
Phase 5: Trying in the sense of "trial and error." One is open and willing for new behaviors and methods.
Phase 6: Insight. One agrees to change and is able to recognize the benefit in it.
Phase 7: Integration. One reinforces new behaviors.
You cannot change the situation, but you can only decide how to deal with it and how quickly to react. You can look ahead and turn a necessity into a virtue. Adaptability and creativity are required.
We cannot cling to the old. Now it's about taking action, daring to try new things, and finding a clear perspective on opportunities and solutions. In this seemingly idle time, it's about pausing and asking ourselves: Where do I actually stand in life? Where do I want to go? What do I learn for myself from the crisis?
