All of us in India have been under lockdown since the 23rd March, and most of us in the manufacturing industry have been trying to work from home. Kindly note, we are only “trying” because manufacturing often leaves too little that can be done from home, especially in the small and medium industries. As a result, I got some time to reflect and put together a few tenets perhaps learnings that we have enriched ourselves towing to the onset of the COVID19 pandemic. Most importantly, if we get thinking on the COVID19 reset – the following learnings of each individual put together will perhaps emerge as the main areas for all to work upon.
I have listed some of the learning’s and inferences that we all should extract from the present for our glorious future to come. As a matter of fact, since my childhood, I have never faced any situation like this where the existence of a certain percentage of human population is at threat and made me ponder upon how several civilisations have become extinct over the last several Million years.
Anyway, it would be best to view the present from a learning perspective for the future. We all have had our fair share of learning experiences through several situations but never a situation so severe. So here are a few important takeaways I’ve learnt from the present crisis situation as I continue to use the lockdown period to prepare myself for the future of both my home and company.
LEARNING 1
The Value of a Good Healthy and Appropriately Paced Lifestyle:
An important aspect is that when it comes to situations like these, we need to preserve what we cherish the most i.e. our existence and our lives; for things like finance or the money we have come second. Therefore, we should learn to forego our luxuries or our wants keeping in mind our safety and the fact that the luxuries are temporary but our lives are permanent and most important. Yes! we all have the thought of health in our minds and we insure ourselves and of course track our health for a good life.
But such circumstances teach us that whatever tracking one may do and however fit one may be, such adversities have to be overcome with defiance and mental strength along with medication and other support. So, maybe we should now look at more time for health and family and slow done our lifestyle that may be helpful towards achieving a healthy lifestyle.
LEARNING 2
Be Compassionate and Show Brotherly Love
This attribute brings in us the desire to help others in times of need. They may be poor or rich, but no sooner than we have started to face the COVID19 situation, the thought that comes to our minds is, about all those people who may not get paid during the lockdown period. It is at such times that as owners, partners, family members, friends, etc we all have to be compassionate and help each other to get out of the mess.
What we do later can be discussed and agreed upon in a fair manner but the present situation demands the urgency of actions and decision making without arguments. Remember, someday we may be on the other side of the shore and at that time we would be yearning for compassion from others.
LEARNING 3
Liquidity
One of the major learnings has always been the great importance the word liquidity has for any adult in this world. In today’s unsure circumstances this is the guru mantra for all, and those of us who have persevered after liquidity and managed to achieve it (big or small) are the ones who are smiling and at least free of the stress of providing for oneself. Right from our childhood all of us in India have heard of the phrase “saving for the rainy day” in fact this has been mostly the story for all the middle class and upper-middle class in our earlier generation.
Credit lines from banks never existed and hence all spending was post earning and not in anticipation. This led to a very robust situation of finances (relative of course) for all. Avenues to spend were few. Eating out, buying and shipping were a luxury for the majority of the populace and hence the savings did actually happen – vis a vis the present state where credit cards have made online shopping interesting and then the best part as it may look like is the post spending!!
Just as this is true for individual finances it is also true for corporates and companies. Those companies who have good cash reserves and have had genuine profits – be it small or big have now got those deep reserve bags to dig in under cash flow duress and are indeed successful in looking after the needs of their entire team without too much pressures on the cash flow. Therefore, liquidity is the key and we must never ever take it for granted.
LEARNING 4
The Importance of Hygiene and a Disciplined and Healthy Lifestyle
The word hygiene has become of paramount importance and has indeed become a great word after the onset of corona. It is now at a different level, which most of us had not practiced earlier. How many of us washed our hands with the extreme sincerity of 20 seconds for the wash and cover all parts of the hand??? We all had to create Whatsapp videos to educate the world on hand and health hygiene, the importance of being clean and to wash off the virus from our bodies, hands, and face.
In fact, somethings we have always been taught since childhood i.e. to avoid outside footwear at home, have a wash if just entered the house, etc. etc., is now becoming an integral part of our hygiene and health routines!! And disciplined completion of all requirements in daily lives and getting life to a healthy and good routine aimed and focused on a better lifestyle. So far, we have all got into the habit of a super luxury, fast and noisy lifestyle leaving us too little time for family and ourselves.
This global pandemic has in fact reversed the scene. We now have a lot more time for ourselves and family and most of the people are now resorting to building up a routine that would help create many more blue areas all over the world in line with Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; etc. etc.
LEARNING 5
No Work is Less! During the Lockdown
We all have had to get on with life at home with or without any help on cleaning and cooking and also doing some of the jobs, which most us would term menial and would not have ever thought of doing. However, the silver lining is that we have all learned that when needed even the least of jobs become the most wanted, and importance, respect, and dignity of labour are somethings to always remember. Of course, this has been the case all along even before the COVID19 situation but I feel that the little minor Ritu of us who felt otherwise have realised now that any job big or small, clean or dirty has its own importance and necessity and we can never again look down upon them.
LEARNING 6
The Importance of Being at Your Base in the Country of Your Citizenship and Near Your Dear and Loved Ones
This is also a major learning from this situation. Especially for those of us who have their children studying in colleges or working across the seven seas. Being near your base and your country has its own advantages of security and support in unprecedented times like these. The complete lockdown has resulted in so many people not being able to be at the bedside of a dying parent or to complete the final rites.
Also, all inhabitants of any country other than the citizens of that country are at a risk of having to defend themselves on their own be it a job loss or health costs. For their own citizens, the governments will definitely do the best possible. Over and above this the Damocles sword of safety on the streets against hooliganism and frustrations of unemployed citizens when they confront well to do foreigners remains a possibility.
Of course, I know this is easier said than done when it comes to opportunities but perhaps from now, I will try my best to sync on opportunities and my future plans.
LEARNING 7
Look and Introspect the Opportunities this Crisis Situation Offers and Face the Challenges with these Opportunities Once the COVID19 Crisis is Defeated
This introspection is required by one and all. To do a SWOT for each individual be it a company or a person and then look at the various opportunities being presented by the present problems for the future. Once we spot these opportunities or even get a faint idea of it, we need to realign our thinking with the call of the day and start fresh with a clean slate to sketch a fresh chapter in our life story!
I have tried putting this down in my own words and would like others to also share their learnings during this period to enrich and educate everyone to take home these tenets of learning and using them into creating positivity for our future existence and endeavours.
