We are facing a crisis
To say this has been a CRAZY few months would be an understatement. The extend of craziness differs for everyone, but it’s the first time since the world war that countries, businesses and people have all been affected by a common agent.
We are facing a crisis, defined as a time of intense danger or difficulty. Yet, the Chinese word for crisis is “危机”, which translates back to ‘Danger’ + ‘Opportunity’.
In crisis there is opportunity- opportunity to learn powerful lessons we can adopt and also teach our youth. Here are 3 major lessons we can learn.
1. Resilience (or the lack of it) is a direct result of taking (or ignoring) feedback
Feedback refers to occurrences that reveals a fact, and points you to change. Feedback is precious, it can literally save our lives. For example, our body is a powerful feedback mechanism. When we are sick (fever, cough, pain), our body is giving us feedback - It’s saying ‘hey you need to do something, change something’. If we ignore the feedback, the body gives us bigger feedback (more pain, higher fever) UNTIL we take corrective action.
In the same way, failure and especially this Covid-19 crisis are powerful feedback mechanisms. It reveals a lot about how to develop resilience. Let’s look at some examples:
First, the Covid-19 virus is a result of feedback ignored from the SARS outbreak. The SARS virus originated from people consuming ‘exotic’ animals, sold in wet markets in China with deplorable hygiene standards. This serves as a breeding ground for viruses to be ‘transferred’ to humans. (Click here if you’re keen in bio and want the detailed explanation). What is the feedback? Leave exotic wildlife alone! Yet, after the SARS died down, feedback was ignored which resulted in SAME problem – another virus outbreak of a similar nature-the Covid-19 virus.
Another great example of feedback is our nation’s resilience to the virus. Our response to the virus was praised by World Health Organization and many international outlets. But HOW did we develop that resilience? The answer: the government took feedback from the SARS outbreak in 2003. We focused on what worked then, and made changes to avoid the mistakes we made in the past. This resulted in a prepared, robust system to contain the spread of the virus.
To take it a step further, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said in an interview with CNBC that the virus is a test of everyone countries’ 1) Governance 2) Quality of Healthcare and 3) Social Capital (relationships of people in a society). In other words, the crisis reveals feedback on the a country’s resilience in these 3 areas.
Yet, Singapore is not perfect and it is not immune to negative feedback. As we know, the recent explosion of cases among our migrant workers is horrible to witness. This is strong, clear feedback that their living conditions and their welfare needs to be better taken care of, not just in this crisis, but beyond that as well.
From these examples, we can learn our first major lesson: that resilience is a constant process of taking feedback, making corrections and improving to solve problems. The extent to which we do (or don’t), is the progress of our resilience (or the regression of it).
2. Crisis catalyzes (speeds up) resilience, ONLY if you embrace it
Resilience is adaption. Resilience is the ability to change. This means that resilience can ONLY be developed in times of stress or challenge. Because it puts you in a position of discomfort, where you must adapt.
This is the reason why crisis are a catalyst for resilience. A catalyst is an agent that results in significant change or action.
A great example comes from J.K Rowling, the author of Harry Potter and first billionaire author. In a speech, she reflected on the benefit of her crisis (being sacked from her job and being a single Mum), and how it led her to remember what she was passionate about, develop the internal strength, and eventually write Harry Potter. Watch the video below !
“I was set free, because my greatest fear had been realized, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” - J.K. Rowling
To apply this to your current context, whether you’re working or studying now, massive change is occurring and its an opportunity for resilience. A common theme is how we are all learning how to use digital platforms to communicate, learn and do business. This has led to innovation and new skills being picked up, that would not have happened if the crisis did not occur.
Personally, I’ve realized that when we’re forced into a position to adapt and change, we are surprised at how capable and resilient we really can be, if ONLY we embrace it, maintain the right attitude and never quit.
3. Crisis reveals what we are made of.
“Circumstances don’t make a man, it reveals himself to him” - Epictetus, Greek philosopher
Crisis is a mirror. A crystal clear mirror. It breaks you open and reveals yourself to you -what do you stand for, and what you are made of.
Will you freeze, back down and surrender? Or dig deep, press forward and emerge victorious?
If you find yourself surrendering often, don’t beat yourself up. I’m here to encourage you. The good news is that we can always change.
The good news is this: as humans, we have the capacity for tremendous power and resilience. This is a fact that has fascinated me and given me strength in my darkest times.
In a landmark book entitled ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’, a psychiatrist (Victor Frankl) documents the emotions and state of prisoners during the Holocaust. These prisoners were made to suffer. They slept in their own fecal matter, cramped like sardines, beaten up, malnourished, and made to work as slaves. Those who could no longer work would be burnt alive.
In such extreme conditions, in such severe crisis, Frankl observed one fact that gave me goosebumps when I read it: that you could take away everything from a person, and break them down, but one thing you couldn’t take away was – choice. The power and spiritual freedom to choose your response. He shared that the prisoners who choose to clung on to hope, who had something to live for, who found purpose and meaning in their suffering, were the ones with the higher chance of survival.
(I would HIGHLY recommend you read the book. It can found on Book Depository or borrow it free from our national library using the app: Overdrive)
In sharing this, I hope it has given you some inspiration to tackle this crisis or any challenge you’re going through.
Failure and crisis reveals and shapes our character more than success ever will.
So dig deep, reflect, find that drive and purpose to press on, and ask yourself: What am I made of?