Never let a good crisis go to waste

“Never let a good crisis go to waste.” I heard someone say this in one of the webinars I attended recently and ever since then, I have been thinking of it and analyzing it. I have come to see the beauty in the message it carries. It is not easy to turn a negative situation into a positive one, but I believe that this is the true definition of positivism — to take full advantage of the lessons we can learn in difficult times.

Some attribute this quote to Sir. Winston Churchill, who was referring to the post-World War II alliance between him, Stalin and Roosevelt during the Yalta Conference, which led to the formation of the UN. 

Regardless of who first said it, it is worth keeping this quote in mind considering the crisis the world is currently experiencing in the form of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Is it possible to glean a measure of positivity from what is undoubtedly a bleak situation?

We would do well to look at our everyday habits and necessities and consider whether we can use the current practice of social distancing to change or optimize our performances. We might examine our spending habits and see how we can increase our savings. 

Let us look at the material things that we thought we could not live without only to find out that we are managing well without them now. The list could go on indefinitely. 

In times of crisis, we need to restructure not only our work but our lives, behaviors, habits and priorities to keep up with the inevitable changes surrounding us.