The Chinese word for Crisis (危机) can be interpreted to denote two words that connote Danger and Opportunity. Between 1665 to 1666 in London, United Kingdom, a quarter of the population would die of the Plague. It was one of the last major pandemics in the 400 years that the disease ravaged Europe. Isaac Newton was in his early 20s when the Plague hit London. He was a student at Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1665, the municipality instituted their version of “social distancing” and homestay.

During the Pandemic students were sent home. Without his professors to guide him, Newton thrived. The months he spent studying and working from home was arguably his most productive years. Newton’s understanding and theories of gravity, calculus, and optics all came to him during this lockdown. Newton came back to school in 1667 with his theories. In six months, he became a fellow and in two years, he was crowned professor. As bad as the situation is now, what are you doing that could make the Coronavirus period a Coronation? Most of us have more time now to do our own projects than ever before. Many creative people usually use solitude or isolation to great advantage.

If you make a decision about a project and put in the work, this could be your most creative time yet. For workers, working from home might become a major part of our working hours. We must acknowledge and upgrade our skills for this new reality. Many of us fear recession and retrenchment. But some are excited to explore the new set of skills and opportunities in the post COVID-19 economy. Are you prepared? Because success often manifest when preparation encounters opportunity. Upgrading your IT skills might be a starting point. There are loads of free do-it-yourself training online. I recently started the Google IT Certification program to give myself a competitive edge as an entrepreneur and employee because the world has changed, and we must strategize to maximize the time, chances and changes that will emerge.

Ata Ukuta – Editor, www.towncryyers.com