I sit here writing this during the great lock down of 2020 due to the Corona Virus or COVID 19.  This is probably the largest crisis I have had to deal with.  I have been through many others before such as tornados, floods, and hurricanes.  However, those all had short lived impacts on how long my family and I were forced into isolation.  The aftermaths in my community was horrendous in a few of those.

After one hurricane, our neighborhood was without power for two weeks.  That time will always have a special place in my memory as everyone was out side enjoying each other’s company at night and doing things together.  It was one of the best times to be in our neighborhood.  Once the power came back on, everyone went back into their houses and turned on the tv or surfed.  I digress.

The Chinese word for crisis has two characters that mean danger and opportunity.  The is some debate in the literature whether or not that is what the Chinese word means; however, the true source and meaning of the word is irrelevant here.  This is still a time of danger AND opportunity.

First, this is a time of danger.  This is a time of danger in terms of getting the virus – especially for the elderly.  It is also a time of danger financially for many who will lose jobs because of the quarantines and shelter in place orders.  Retirees are in a place of danger financially as well as the stock market as crashed.  Many people feel very uncertain about this time.

Any time one of us now goes out to do business, buy groceries, etc. we are at risk of contracting the virus.  The people working at the grocery store and other essential businesses are at higher risk by being around others.  Lastly, the health care professionals are at even higher risk as they are around confirmed cases of the virus.  Please thank those working in areas that are in higher risk for doing their jobs and providing service.

However, this is also a time of great opportunity for many.  You might be asking yourself, “How is this a time of opportunity?”  I will explain below.  Everyone’s situation is different, so you may have to think differently for your particular situation than what I discuss below.

With many of us stuck in our houses and working from home during the virus, many of us have been given the gift of time.  I am currently working my job from home.  Directly, this gives me an hour and half or so back to my day as I am not having to commute.  How many others are given even more time due to lack of commuting.

I am also not doing things that I would be at the office, so my day can be more productive.  This has given me time to catch up on things at work that have needed to get done but I did not have time for doing.  For you, this might mean innovating and coming up with new ideas for your line of work.  Take the extra time and be a leader in your field.  When you return to the office, this can make you stand out to your management.

Since we are given more time – either through work or other canceled activities, we need to make the most of this gift. Time is the one thing we are all given equally on a daily basis. Do you make the most of yours?

Are there things you have been meaning to do, but you have not gotten around to doing them?  This might be a once in a lifetime opportunity for this!  Do you need to spend more time with your children?  Do you need to call someone close that you have not talked with in a while?  This is great time for phone calls and catching up with friends and relatives.  Are there projects around the house that need attention or completion?  Do you need to start a new business?

I really recommend you spend some time reflecting on what it is you need or want out of this time of crisis. As always, I will tell you to WRITE IT DOWN!

There are other ways this time can be an opportunity.  Maybe an opportunity to serve others by finding someone to help who cannot get out to get groceries.  The stock market is a great time to buy as history tells us that it will go up and now is a time to buy stocks on sale.  The list goes on.

I do not know what you need, want, or should do, but are you going to look back at this time months from now and regret you did not use this time more wisely?  Do not let this opportunity pass you by!