James Caan* says that while the past year brought chaos and confusion, it also set us on course to a better and brighter future.
The past few months have shown us once more the unpredictable nature of business and indeed our lives in general.
Just when we thought we had seen it all, along came 2020 which taught us a valuable lesson on the futility of forecasting.
We have just witnessed an entire year of madness pass by, with many people experiencing a mix of fear, hope, desperation, and resolve.
So much has changed forever as we deal with the impact of a pandemic that has shaken the very foundations of society.
In such times, it is important to keep our spirits high and stay focused.
Remaining positive is key to survival in tough times. We cannot change the hand we are dealt, but we can choose our response to it.
Rather than becoming paralysed with the enormity of the situation, it is essential to embody the right state of mind to deal with it.
The stock exchanges provide a fantastic example of this.
In March, at the outset of the pandemic, chaos ensured, with many traders and market experts presenting a doomsday scenario.
Fear was at its peak and the disruption generated was unfathomable.
Today, less than nine months on, markets are edging towards a new all-time high.
What has changed? Arguably, nothing! Except that now, people are choosing to concentrate on the solution instead of the problem.
The point to be made here is that human resolve has forever trumped every obstacle that we have faced as a society.
Just as the river finds its way around the most obstinate of rocks, the human spirit finally conquers all.
It is no surprise that the biggest economic, cultural and technological shifts have always been in the aftermath of a global calamity such as World War II or a period of pandemic.
This time will be no different.
It is great to see that businesses and Governments have made historic and seismic changes.
They are introducing initiatives which are laying the foundation for a much stronger and more vibrant economy as we move into the ‘new normal’.
As the saying goes: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”
I am confident that these measures are a stepping stone towards a promising future, and I am excited at the opportunities it will bring for all of us.
Like everyone else, I have attempted to remain positive throughout the events of this past year.
I have endeavoured to be strong-willed, flexible and redouble my efforts, and today I can say that I feel rejuvenated and even more passionate about my work, and my life.
The past year epitomises in the true sense of when the world truly became one.
It has been a year when humanity has witnessed an evil beyond imagination.
However, it will also be remembered as the year when good prevailed over evil, and the human spirit conquered its toughest challenge yet.
In doing so, it put us on a course towards a better and brighter future.
*James Caan’s passion is building businesses and backing talented people. He thinks it is important to invest in people rather than just products or businesses. He can be contacted at [email protected]
This article first appeared at LinkedIn.
