To say that this experience has been like no other is a major understatement. This episode in our lives may have transformed our fundament concepts and habits. It will most likely have a long-term impact on the way we do business. Many businesses and advocates have thrown up their hands in desperation. Some are using the event to their personal advantage to the detriment of others. To use the analogy of a wilderness experience, we have found ourselves in a situation where decisions are not predictable nor habitual. They must be well thought out and analyzed carefully to evaluate the full impact of those decisions.
As a life-long scout, I’ve viewed many situations through the lens of my scout training. Even now, it can inform our approach.
Basic Survival Skills
- Attitude. More than any other skill, your attitude determines how successful you are in a survival situation.
- Develop a plan. Just like in business, in a survival situation, having no plan usually means having no success.
- Seek shelter. Shelter is essential for protection from life’s elements.
- Water is essential for life to exist. Without it, you can only exist for a few days.
- Fire is a helpful tool that allows us to convert our assets to other valuable needs.
- Food. Not surprisingly, food is way down on the essential list. The nutrients are essential, but you actually can live for 30 days without food.
- Rely on skills. Finally, this one is not something that you can conjure up or create. These are the life skills that you have developed over time.
Application
In reviewing the above priorities, several focus on the spiritual aspects of survival. Attitude is everything. Some are on the physical. Now let’s blend into the discussion what has changed in a major way with the virus. Our ability to gather, to enjoy an activity together, to share experiences, to network ideas has been greatly transformed. Doing things constantly with structure sometimes created a false sense of what is important and what is not important. While it’s true we have adapted to social distancing using electronic means, we realize that watching it on YouTube is not the same thing as being there. A Skype call works in a pinch. Facetime is better that no contact. The question is: how long can we continue to function in this manner? What will the long-lasting impact be on our attitude, subsistence, and our success? Does remote interaction provide the “shelter, water, food” we need? I, for one, had the pleasure of celebrating one of my grandchildren’s birthday parties at a luncheon while maintaining social distancing. I was thankful for having the opportunity to celebrate, through the glass windows of their house while sitting on their porch, but it wasn’t the same as being there. I can tell you it was difficult to communicate all of the wonderful emotions we would have otherwise experienced without social distancing. It was, however, an acceptable balance of safety and comradery.
If you would like to share your perspective or tips on how you or your company is adapting, please contact please contact Anna at The Advertiser.