The idea of “living in the present” is not a new one in the context of personal growth. It is about letting go of past experiences that tend to shape our response to current situations in order to “move on” and find a better and more effective solution to any crisis we are dealing with in the present moment. When it comes to business, past experiences could mean pre-defined processes, systems and strategies that worked well yesterday but may not be adequate in addressing today’s challenges.
In times of an unprecedented global crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, every day brings new information and new challenges. It is by living in the present that we can design new strategies to navigate a difficult, evolving situation that nobody ever saw coming, let alone prepared to combat.
A Shift In Mindset
An essential prerequisite for embracing the idea of living in the present is a flexible mind that is ready to consider all possibilities, albeit with reason and deliberation. When analyzing new information and findings, many of us fall prey to confirmation bias, which makes us believe in what we think is true rather than what is true. As the memory of our past experiences plays a major role in reinforcing confirmation bias, we tend to think that what worked in the past should always be working. Unfortunately in business (and in life), not all boxes can be checked in foresight. Critical business decisions should always be made on the basis of current and emerging evidence, even if that means discarding previous traditions.
The Startup Approach
When it comes to learning how to live in the present, the startup approach is a good primer. Successful startups tend to have a few traits in common:
1. Disrupt the market by thinking differently and moving fast.
2. Gather as much knowledge as possible and apply it to your business.
3. Turn your business plan into a living document.
4. Innovate constantly to address new socio-economic challenges.
5. Don’t be afraid to do a course correction when existing offerings cease to have the desired effect.
6. Challenge your own entrenched beliefs.
7. Be flexible and be agile. Think on your feet.
8. Know how to meet customer expectations and needs during a crisis.
The coronavirus situation has forced many of today’s businesses — small and large — to go back to the drawing board and rethink some of their traditional ways of doing business and serving customers. As a leader, it has forced me to reset my brain every morning and redefine the business by carefully evaluating rapidly changing market conditions.
Living in the present in times like these also means resetting our priorities and reconnecting with our personal goals and aspirations. What was super important until yesterday may require little, if any, attention today. Any difficult situation serves as a reminder of why it is a must to look after our physical and mental health, improve the quality of our interpersonal relationships and reflect upon the positive aspects of our lives with gratitude, empathy and a deep sense of belonging.
A Future Of Being In The Present?
After we win this long-drawn battle, what type of future will await us? I do not have an informed answer, nor do I think anybody does. I believe that we are headed for a future where everyone will learn how to live in the present moment by thinking differently and staying calm in the midst of uncertainty and unpredictability.
The future workforce and workplace will be better equipped to respond to contingencies and deal with community health issues. Decision-making will be faster, more efficient and perhaps more precise. We will come out of these challenging times stronger and with an advanced level of preparedness to overcome any hurdle. It will help us be better leaders and human beings.
Through this collective experience, the culture and the processes that we are going to build will be more innovative and dynamic than ever. Last but not the least, all of us will have stories to share with our next generations — stories of courage, sacrifice, faith and hope.
