Finding Relevance in the midst of Crisis -Part 2

A Change of Approach

Have you experienced some environmental changes that have affected what you are used to? Are you in a situation or circumstance that seems unusual or abnormal? Have you ever thought that what you once did so well is no longer possible or cannot be done anymore? Have you decided that the end of your relevance has come?

I remember one of the science experiments we performed in school from which I learnt some vital lessons that stuck with me. The experiment was simple and the instructions easy to understand. We were required to plant the same kind of seed, say bean seeds for instance in different plant pots with all other conditions kept the same, vary their access to light and observe their growth for some weeks. One plant will be outside with full access to sunlight, one in a room with only one window, another placed in a bigger container which is covered with an opaque material leaving a small area exposed to light, yet another exposed to light but covered with an opaque material at the top. All the other conditions were the same but interestingly the growth showed different results.

One of the lessons was that all the plants grew, even though differently but they still grew and the plants still had the characteristics of the seed sown. They were affected by the environment in different ways, but that did not damage the nature of the seed nor the characteristics of the seed, they still grew despite the environmental changes each one encountered.

Another lesson is that they all grew in the direction of light, growing away from any obstacles and darkness. They all sought for light and grew towards it, carefully passing by every obstacle and moving towards the light. As long as there was light, they were satisfied and decided to keep moving to wherever that light was located. They did not change their characteristics they changed the way they grew or moved. Their reaction to changes was a lesson, they decided to change when the environment in which they grew changed.

We are used to seeing plants growing up in a certain way but we may never understand why until there is change. It seems normal because there are no obstacles but when there is a change they also change. The change then helps us to appreciate that they could grow or move in a different way to achieve the same result.

The world is experiencing some significant environmental changes that have affected the whole populace which is challenging and frustrating what we are used to. The current situation or circumstance many find themselves seems unusual or abnormal. It is gradually becoming increasingly difficult to do business-as-usual, -the way it has always been done. For some, it is the end of relevance because a change has challenged the only way they know or have been used to. What can you do in such times as this? Have you decided the end of your relevance has come?

Think again! Don’t give up! You may be able to see differently and learn from the plants. It may only be the end of what you are used to and the beginning of possibilities and opportunities that you are yet to explore.

A great change has affected the world, and no one can deny that but you can decide to change your approach as you move and grow towards your goal. The plant does not struggle to keep the old styles or conventions, rather the plant grows, moving around the obstacles to achieve its goal.

You may eventually discover that you can still achieve your goal if you change your approach and you may find out that you are still relevant after all. Try to understand your goal and reconsider your approach and you may be able to figure out what can change to help you fulfil your goal in challenging times. It may just be the approach that is no longer relevant.

There have been so many organisations that have taken to the online platforms to continue their businesses, providing goods and services around the world during this time of crisis as everyone is advised to stay at home and socially distant. Many surged to greater profits by that change of approach, which eventually brought them to relevance with record gains in such a season while there were so many of their competitors that are still closed down in the same period.

A training company recently implemented some changes that kept them in business in this crisis, they simply made available an online learning platform for all their classroom-based training so as to continue providing their services and achieving their goal of educating students. The change is significant as it kept them relevant, offering courses costing about £2,000 or more per student. Change made them relevant. The goal of imparting knowledge could still be achieved even when everyone is at home but a change made it possible to continue achieving that goal.

Have you noticed food delivery services during the current crisis? People cannot go out but some people decided to make the food, package it nicely and use the delivery services to deliver it to the homes of the customers. Change of approach brought about relevance. The goal is achieved with no risk to life and compliance to relevant legislation is also achieved.

I woke up one morning to find a man providing food in what he called a Mobile Kitchen. He has all the necessary equipment in his vehicle and goes to different locations to provide food. You place your order and he makes the food ready for you. You cannot go to the restaurant, no problem, I will bring the food to you.

What can you change? What is it that you do and have always done in a certain way that you can change? It may be the key you have been looking for.

I came across a Music teacher with over 30 years of experience and she was providing online tuition and free advice with videos and downloadable materials. This simply means that her students and also new students can still learn from her and the goal of teaching can still be achieved even if the students cannot physically meet with her due to the current situation and restrictions.

Another interesting change of approach I found was that of nurses attending to children due for routine vaccinations. It could be more dangerous if such vaccinations are delayed because of the current crisis, so a change of approach helped in achieving the same result. The nurses simply attended to the children whilst seated in the vehicle of their parents or guardians parked in the car park, designated drive through areas or outside the surgery or clinic. The same change was used for testing of coronavirus by converting large store car parks, airports areas that are not in use currently, and so on as designated drive-through locations and also engaging the help of military to assist to help keep the healthcare professionals focussed on critical health issues. Postal options were also employed as the kits were sent and returned for processing by post. A change can make it become possible what you once thought cannot be achieved.

You have succeeded in the past and maybe for a very long time using the same approach but you have now been affected because something has changed which may not necessarily be your fault but you can turn around the tide by making a decision to make the change that can bring you back to relevance under the situation or circumstance that you now find yourself.

It could be temporary, short term or long term change but change of approach can keep you moving and growing towards your goal at every phase of challenges you may come across in life. Changes always happen but the ability to remain relevant irrespective of the changes is very important and that helps you fulfil your goal and helps you stand in every situation and circumstance.

The change should not make you deviate from what is right but rather it should reflect and retain good values as you add value to others in the pursuit of your goal.

You may need a change of approach to be or remain relevant, so think of what you can change or how you can change to keep moving without affecting your goals or values.

To be continued next week, don’t miss it.

Please feel free to share this post if you found it useful, and remember to get in touch as I would appreciate your comments and would like to hear from you.

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Related posts on Relevance

• Finding Relevance in the midst of Crisis -Part 1
• Finding Relevance in the midst of Crisis -Part 3
• Finding Relevance in the midst of Crisis -Part 4
• Finding Relevance in the midst of Crisis -Part 5
• Finding Relevance in the midst of Crisis –Part 6
• Finding Relevance in the midst of Crisis -Part 7
• Finding Relevance in the midst of Crisis -Part 8
• Finding Relevance in the midst of Crisis -Part 9
• Finding Relevance in the midst of Crisis -Part 10