It doesn’t look like the world will go back to being how it was before, the life we knew. I also don’t think we’re headed into some apocalyptic vision. Just the opposite. This whole crisis is like a new birth, and we’ll need to take advantage of it to make some changes in our lives.
The word “crisis” doesn’t deserve the bad image it has. In English, a crisis is “the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever,” or “an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person’s life,” according to Webster’s Dictionary. So even though it’s a dramatic situation, it isn’t necessarily bad.
The Hebrew word for “crisis” is really interesting. Mashber, which is Hebrew for crisis, is the word that ancient Hebrew texts used for talking about birth. The mashber was the special chair on which the woman in labor sat until she delivered (Talmud, Arachin 1:4). Also, in the Bible (Isaiah 37:3), the word mashber denotes the opening of the birth-canal right before the newborn baby emerges to the world.
What does this mean? We will have to review the current situation with fresh eyes and decide what’s really necessary and what’s redundant.
Suddenly we don’t feel so bad about airport closings; it’s not so terrible to be at home; and working from home isn’t so bad. I’ll stop here and let you decide for yourself what you really need to sustain yourself.
The economic world will have to adjust itself to the new patterns of behavior after the crisis, and will probably make some drastic changes in my opinion.
The changes that the business world will need to make will not be about the organization and technology — but rather the new product. Because our next big thing will be based on the correct relations between us. The more that companies invest in this area, the greater their chance of success.
I’ve been reading some interesting things written by Michael A. Eisenberg: Six Kids And A Full-Time Job, who understands our need for change. I love the way he gets that we’re transitioning between different eras in human history.
His whole way of thinking is very innovative and directed at leaders of the new education. These are leaders who already have an urge to deal with this change since they feel that this is how things should be. I recommend following Michael Eisenberg and deciding for yourself. I know I will keep following him for the simple reason that this attitude must spread — and as quickly as possible. Knowledge is power.
More about Michael Eisenberg and new his book “The Tree of Life and Prosperity” (Hebrew)
The key to success lies in the ability to create relationships. The greatest businessmen have reached the top mainly thanks to their ability to do Networking, to create a network, gathering contacts and building bonds.
A few days ago I was reflecting on how much has changed the way people communicate in the past 20 years. Today we have technologies that allow us to be always connected and to talk to anyone, anywhere and in real time. At first glance it might seem that the word that best describes these modern times is “technology” but it is not so: what really moves everything and everyone is social relations. Technologies are only a means that allows us to achieve this. Cultivating relationships with those around us benefits us both from a human point of view – to grow, to compare, to feel less alone – and from a more strictly professional one – to be informed about job opportunities, to collaborate, to improve as professionals.
Amazing points @Aldo and how much has changed in the past couple of months!! Relationships are the key to everything …
Thanks Josia!
Great quote Mac!
I love the idea of thinking of “crisis” as giving birth to something new, Josia! Really lovely piece!
Thanks Kimberly!!
Thanks, Josia, indeed.
One of my favorite quotes is from Margaret Wheatley (“Leadership and the New Science”): “Power in organizations is the capacity generated by relationships.”
I concur that we are in the throes of an evolutionary shift. After all, we’ve only had indoor plumbing for a few hundred years, and many of us still fill with fear at the slightest noise (metaphoric or otherwise).
Have fun. Then have more.
Mac
Here’s the link to the podcast, back2different. I think you’ll find it interesting. Enjoy!
https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1171136.rss