The Power of Adaptability
May 2, 2020
I AM SO OVER THIS CRISIS!
Are you?
Well, it came in phases for me.
First, I thought it was a joke. Then, I realized its seriousness. After this came the surrender (ok, we will get through this). Now, it's like, WHEN IS THIS GONNA BE OVER?
I guess this phase we are in is the most challenging part. It reminds me of the last trimester of pregnancy when you just want the baby out, but it's not yet time.
We're neither here nor there.
We are now at the most crucial point. As I've said, it's like the last trimester of pregnancy where the baby is about to be born. It's not like after giving birth, things are back to normal. This reminds me of my first child. I was so excited to finally bring my son out to this world, without realizing that my life will never be the same again.
This is what our situation is. We are not returning to the same normal.
Are you ready for this? Are you ready for the new normal? Have you prepared for it?
These remaining weeks and months will dictate what our new normal will be. The ball is in our respective courts.
How are we going to adapt to the new normal? How is your job going to look like? How will your business operate?
One thing I know is that people become more adaptable when they are forced to adapt ... when they have no choice but to cope. This adaptability doesn't happen when everything is smooth sailing. It happens when we are taken out of our comfort zones.
Incidentally, did you know that Filipinos are known for resiliency? They are likened to a bamboo. No matter how strong the wind blows, it doesn't break; it simply bends. The Philippines has been through so much crisis that made its people very adaptable to change.
Allow me to share a short but powerful story with you, in relation to this.
In the Philippines, a girl is given a grand birthday celebration when she turns 18. This is called her debut. Well, my dad gave me a beautiful 18th birthday celebration at a really fancy country club in Manila. Just when the party started, I noticed that the parents of my guests were coming in, one-by-one to pick up their children. I was like, "What the heck is going on? We haven't even started dancing." Well, it was the beginning of the PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION, a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and alleged electoral fraud. It was a nonviolent revolution that led to the departure of former President Ferdinand Marcos. It was the end of his 20-year presidential rule, and the restoration of democracy in the Philippines.
I was a Martial Law baby. I knew nothing about democracy until that day. Filipinos have been so used to crisis that when they finally had the chance to revolt, they did it in the most peaceful way.
Are you?
Well, it came in phases for me.
First, I thought it was a joke. Then, I realized its seriousness. After this came the surrender (ok, we will get through this). Now, it's like, WHEN IS THIS GONNA BE OVER?
I guess this phase we are in is the most challenging part. It reminds me of the last trimester of pregnancy when you just want the baby out, but it's not yet time.
We're neither here nor there.
We are now at the most crucial point. As I've said, it's like the last trimester of pregnancy where the baby is about to be born. It's not like after giving birth, things are back to normal. This reminds me of my first child. I was so excited to finally bring my son out to this world, without realizing that my life will never be the same again.
This is what our situation is. We are not returning to the same normal.
Are you ready for this? Are you ready for the new normal? Have you prepared for it?
These remaining weeks and months will dictate what our new normal will be. The ball is in our respective courts.
How are we going to adapt to the new normal? How is your job going to look like? How will your business operate?
One thing I know is that people become more adaptable when they are forced to adapt ... when they have no choice but to cope. This adaptability doesn't happen when everything is smooth sailing. It happens when we are taken out of our comfort zones.
Incidentally, did you know that Filipinos are known for resiliency? They are likened to a bamboo. No matter how strong the wind blows, it doesn't break; it simply bends. The Philippines has been through so much crisis that made its people very adaptable to change.
Allow me to share a short but powerful story with you, in relation to this.
In the Philippines, a girl is given a grand birthday celebration when she turns 18. This is called her debut. Well, my dad gave me a beautiful 18th birthday celebration at a really fancy country club in Manila. Just when the party started, I noticed that the parents of my guests were coming in, one-by-one to pick up their children. I was like, "What the heck is going on? We haven't even started dancing." Well, it was the beginning of the PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION, a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and alleged electoral fraud. It was a nonviolent revolution that led to the departure of former President Ferdinand Marcos. It was the end of his 20-year presidential rule, and the restoration of democracy in the Philippines.
I was a Martial Law baby. I knew nothing about democracy until that day. Filipinos have been so used to crisis that when they finally had the chance to revolt, they did it in the most peaceful way.
I will never forget that day we went out to the street to join the protesters ... a day after my 18th birthday that ended prematurely. Army tanks were all over, ready to fire on people. But the priests, nuns, and people formed a circle around these tanks and started praying together. MAN! That was one of the most beautiful thing I've witnessed in my life.
This resiliency and adaptability is what crisis teaches people. The more trials they go through, the more adaptable they become.
Adaptability leads to resourcefulness, and resourcefulness gives birth to new and better ideas.
Going back to my question: "ARE YOU READY?", my follow-up question would be: "WHAT NEW, RESOURCEFUL, AND CREATIVE WAYS have you learned and will incorporate into your new normal?
I want to hear your thoughts, if it's not too much to ask. Leave a comment on the form below. Ask me any questions related to this. I would love to hear from you.
This resiliency and adaptability is what crisis teaches people. The more trials they go through, the more adaptable they become.
Adaptability leads to resourcefulness, and resourcefulness gives birth to new and better ideas.
Going back to my question: "ARE YOU READY?", my follow-up question would be: "WHAT NEW, RESOURCEFUL, AND CREATIVE WAYS have you learned and will incorporate into your new normal?
I want to hear your thoughts, if it's not too much to ask. Leave a comment on the form below. Ask me any questions related to this. I would love to hear from you.
And if this crisis has made you think of starting a business, or modifying your existing business, these YouTube videos will be a great resource for you.
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LISA MAKI
Simplify to Intensify (c) 2019 |