How am I coping?

There’s been a lot going on in my life right now. Friends are moving away, I’ve had surprise job stresses and I took on too many “extras” that are catching up to me. At the same time, I haven’t been sleeping enough and I’ve definitely eaten too many corn chips (I’ve rationalized that dinner lasts from 4-7 pm straight so eating carbs at that time is certainly appropriate). So what’s stopping me from completely falling apart, although I definitely have had many emotional moments?

Honestly, I think it’s twofold. On one hand, I’m a religious person and truly believe that the hand of G-d is behind everything. I know that whatever happens is what’s best, regardless of how it feels at the moment. On the other hand, I also feel that my training in the S.I.T. method of innovation has prepared me for the tough times. You see, I always knew that everything that happens was for the best, but I didn’t know what to do when I hit roadblocks. Now, I understand that it is all a choice. I can choose what I focus on – the problems and challenges that have presented themselves or the potential opportunities that are yet to come. EVERY CHALLENGE IS AN OPPORTUNITY, the question is will I be focused enough to find it?

When COVID hit, companies had a tough choice to make – would they focus on the challenges that faced their businesses, would they close down or make it a ‘low key’ year, or would they find the opportunities available to them? Well I can tell you one thing. Only certain companies are around today to tell the stories.

Imagine you own a tent rental company, where you normally rent out large tents for weddings and conferences. COVID hit and your business is devastated. There are no parties or gatherings and no need for larger tent rentals. You have 2 choices – close down and sell your business or find the opportunities. You ask yourself – what use would others have for large tent rentals? You know that people are looking for covered outdoor spaces, and you also know that individuals don’t just normally rent out larger tents. After a few minutes, you note that tents are going to be extremely useful for COVID testing centers and quickly decide to pivot your business to market this “new product.” Your business goes from status quo to thriving, and it was all because you were willing to find new opportunity and focus on what you can control, rather than what you can’t.

So what are you waiting for? Stop focusing on the bad. Seize the opportunities at hand! As the say, YOLO!