If we pay attention to the big picture, we will notice some significant changes which reshaped our personal and social life in different ways. Beyond the individual traumas, personal anxieties, social disorders that came with the coronavirus pandemic, things seem to evolve for the better, of course if the authorities, scientists, entrepreneurs manage to readjust, with transparency, trust and solidarity, learning every day to make the right decisions, in a different perspective this time, not as they have been accustomed so far.
So what are the main aspects with real potential that we could take into account:
GENERAL CONTEXT
Optimization of paid work and changes in working habits – a large percentage of people work with enthusiasm and success from their home office. While some jobs cannot be replicated online, many people are saving time and money by not travelling. Employers are forced to switch from outdated business models as technology gives the potential for more streamlined workflow and productivity (without unnecessary meetings and increased punctuality). Remote positions are increasing, making it possible to work anywhere in the world.
Focus on essential workers – pandemic has highlighted the essential roles played by key workers who we all depend on. Suddenly, these often low paid workers are getting the appreciation they deserve. Moreover, a myriad of freelance opportunities arise on the internet: writing, web design, coding, data entry, training and even how to make an online course based on your hobbies and personal knowledge.
Parenting awareness – Parents are compelled to get to know their children even better and in some cases reconsider the approach of their relationship with kids. Many parents begin to really understand the school system and educational curricula and how their children learn. Also parents re-evaluate the need of accommodating grandparents and the community in their family systems.
Local community awareness – The globalization felt at the level of local communities is acquiring new nuances: people return to proximity (in terms of shopping, travel, relaxation, hobbies). People more often choose to cook at home, experience local adventures in the woods rather than foreign beaches, and choose the local farmers who grow better and cheaper food. We are becoming more aware of mutual dependence, of people and business around us and should practice gestures of solidarity with kindness and empathy.
Individual revaluation – With social distancing measures limiting people’s lives, it is a good time to think and reflect about what really matters. More and more people rethink their life priorities by slowing down the pace – less rush, break in the routine, more free time, possibility to engage in self-fulfilling activities. As consumers, people are becoming more selective and conscious by prioritizing options from a qualitative point of view rather than quantitative one. Safety takes the place of satisfaction.
Enhanced family life – These times of uncertainty reminded all of us the importance of family and friends: we review our household chores, our intimate relationships, we return to the intimacy of the couple – to the stable nucleus, have closer relationships with relatives, get a chance to develop valued or loosen unwanted relations.
Entrepreneurship mindset shifts – business people have become even more creative, stimulated by the unpredictable. The current crisis has forced many leaders to rethink the most common burden – how we deal with meetings – people spend up to 23 hours per week in meetings, half of which are considered a failure or waste of time.
Many companies suffering from slow procedures, complex bureaucracies and rigid hierarchies suddenly realized procedures can be skipped or accelerated, rules can be side-tracked and decisions can be made more autonomously without formal approval. And suddenly employees are being empowered without direct supervision. The feeling of “we’re in this together” triggered interesting ways of connection and trust.
This crisis, certainly made me think about the way I want to do business in the future and appreciate what I’ve got rather than look at the negatives.
We have to look at these challenges as a creative opportunity to reinvent ourself and our businesses: shift priorities, look for new revenues streams, empower employees become more flexible.
Environmental benefits – restoring biodiversity, improving water and air quality, less noise pollution, slowing down resource consumption. Less use of paper – Adobe Acrobat reported that use of PDF documents increased by 50% during the pandemic. Although it is still too early to determine the pandemic’s lasting effects, our planet took a breath of “fresh air” and also reminded us about the big role we play on this planet!
Moreover, as we put these layers aside, we enter into the depth of significant social effects that will change us and society almost completely.
PARTICULAR CONTEXT
The 3 main post-pandemic effects that will definitely change the society we live in
The emergence of new skills and competences – cooking, sewing, remote work software, hygiene awareness – and others which we have not yet experienced. A significant percentage of the population will make purchases exclusively online (which will push the limits of e-commerce). The education system will move to the digital environment, with new online curricula being developed.
More moderate and mindful: as an effect of the general state of uncertainty, financial constraints and increased focus on individual and collective health, people will definitely become much more moderate and mindful. We will make choices with an increased sense of responsibility and all decisions more consciously. The profile of the Romanian citizen in 2020 and in the years to come, will be the constant concern for what is healthy versus what is not: mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, lifestyle.
A different social behavior: a new pattern of social behavior is emerging globally: our traveling has changed and we will continue to re-evaluate our traveling habits. “Will we still be so eager to visit every corner of the world or will we choose our next vacation carefully considering safety first?!”. Our attitude towards local community will change quite profoundly and also our social interactions: how often we’ll have friends over to visit and who will we go visit, what about the hugs we share, how we interact with others and go about our lives.Will we censor our Latin spirit and rather embrace the social behavior of the Nordic culture?
Community does not necessarily mean living face-to-face with others, rather, it means never losing the awareness that we are connected to each other. Our individual boundaries are spongelike. We bleed into one another and infect one another with both ills and joys.This pandemic is a salutary reminder of our interconnectedness. It might help us to recover a sense of society.
Too often, we need a reminder of all these simple things to live beautifully, and make our work/business flexible to historical and social context, to feel successful and fulfilled. We are so resourceful and everything we need /we’re searching for is already within ourselves and is available to us now, we just have to make ourselves wholly available to what is already inside us: Breathe out, look in, let go.
The future belongs to those who…
… Are grateful for what they experienced before the pandemic, thankful for the present and open to what will follow;
… Will pursue empathy;
… Will be opened and flexible to develop new skills;
… Will reshuffle attitude towards work and family;
… Will rediscover the simple joys of life and see the beauty in everyday moments
Dare for more// Lilia