We are living in a time of major disruption. For many of us, we’ve never navigated our businesses through this level of turbulence. The unknown and uncertainty can undoubtedly set our emotions and logical thinking into fight or flight mode. Fear becomes our default, and we find ourselves making important decisions from a place of desperation and scarcity.
As a history major, I will tell you that there have been many periods of major disruption in human history, specifically in the last 100 years. To name a few on a global scale: World War I, the Spanish flu, the Great Depression and World War II. And regardless of the level of crisis, we have always managed to rise above the challenge.
History teaches us that we will build on what we are experiencing. Our world is replete with examples of people creating something when resources are at their tightest. In fact, many Fortune 500 companies started during a bear market and/or a recession. And, interestingly, we have a preponderance of CEOs in America who came to this country as immigrants. All of this teaches us that, time and time again, we rise from nothing from something.
During this time, it is so easy to want to look at what is in front of us. We want to be realistic in our decisions and even allow pessimism and worst-case scenarios to creep in. And although there is a place for realism, the only way to move forward during these uncertain times is through optimism. We can’t shift into a solutions-oriented mode and tap into the infinite resources that are available to us if we choose to “face our reality.” Business owners who thrive in unknown times lean into believing in a different outcome — even before they see it or know what the new path looks like.
Business owners who thrive in unknown times lean into believing in a different outcome — even before they see it or know what the new path looks like.
Here is a big reality check for us all: The future has always been unknown and uncertain. And at this juncture of our businesses and lives, we have a choice. We can succumb to fear, or we can choose to embrace this disruption.
There are endless gifts and opportunities in this perceived chaos. Your first order of business in our new normal is to disrupt your thought patterns and perceptions, as they have to do with this global event. If you want to be on the side of history that leans into the disruption and drives innovation, then you must choose faith over fear.
And when you do, you will make this moment count in ways that will send ripple effects to every corner of the globe. As travel professionals, our decisions and inspired actions can literally impact thousands of people and rise the tide in deep and meaningful ways. Tourism is strong. Your belief in what is possible is what’s needed to move through this disruption. Let’s make this moment in history count.
