The “New Normal” is “Abnormal” !!!
Thanks to COVID-19 Pandemic and with imposed Lockdowns, I am seeing phenomenal changes in human work and lifestyle. Sad this Virus has greatly impacted our lives, livelihoods, economy and world at large.
We are forced to sacrifice several activities earlier considered Normal in the interest of protecting lives of ours and our loved ones. Things like Work from Home, Online Education, Online Shopping, Food delivery, Not traveling, Staying Home, etc., are being dubbed as the “New Normal”.
Based on this “New Normal”, many Analysts and Experts are proposing new theories for future. Companies are realigning their businesses and making longterm plans and investments. Entrepreneurs are starting new startups trying to explore opportunities of “New Normal”. Covid has disrupted all sectors. Most important and significant one has been the disruption of "Human Mind".
Important question is how long will this “New Normal” going to remain ? Simple answer is, as long Covid fear shall remain in people’s minds. What will happen when Covid fear dies ? Will people go back to previous ways of life ? Or is the “New Normal” so good and absorbing, they shall continue to live with it forever ?
Have you imagined….
- Never going back to Office, but working from home for the rest your life ?
- Never going back to school / college, but taking online classes from home ?
- Never going back to local shops, malls, etc., but keep buying online ?
- Never going to Restaurants, Bars with friends, families, but ordering food to home ?
- Never travel to exciting destinations, but read books, watch videos of them at home ?
- Never go to Weddings, Parties, Events, Cinemas, etc., but watch Online content at home ?
Man is a social animal and mobility is an inborn trait. Covid19 is a crazy blip in the history of mankind and has taught valuable lessons to be conscious, compassionate towards nature.
WHO has already said that the cure or vaccine for Covid19 is still under research and may take few years to reach the masses. They have downgraded Covid19 from earlier Pandemic status to Endemic now, and have advised people to learn the art of living with it.
Almost all countries have started relaxing lockdowns. More activities shall be resumed as we go along, of course with measured restrictions and health considerations. World shall keep trying to go back to its “Old Normal”. End of the day, as and when Corona dust settles down, people have to remove their Face Masks, see each other without social distancing and enjoy the beautiful world outside of their homes.
CXO / Entrepreneur/ Product Leader / Venture Operator / Ecosystem Leader - Ex Acko / Pine Labs / Future /
4 年There will be some behavioral changes that will get adopted even post covid. Some of the changes that add efficiency - ease, cost, safety will continue. Online learning / WFH changes will continue for good degree and will not find the resistant path in the decision makers. Some changes will remain short term and medium term - eg mobility / sharing services will get disrupted with some process changes ; People may go back to owning or renting bikes for their transport needs.
Very insightful. I take it as a starting point to think about future work places.
Exploring newer areas with a strong foundation and experience gained across various functions from Abrasives Industry
4 年Good thoughts... But, I feel this will leave an impression which could trigger some changes.. Don't know what, but there will be... In the ongoing life, things have been changing and will change.. This event is a definitely a big one and will leave it's impressions and reason for cchange.. The Old Normal was also a New Normal at different points of time...
Business Analyst | Consultant | Project Management - Risk, Investment Banking, Retail Banking, Liquidity & Market Risk - Data & Analytics | Early Stage Startup Investments
4 年Some good questions there @?Vinayak Rajanahally? My take is although this New normal will not stay forever, but certainly the old normal is not coming back - 2 years is a long time, people and companies will adopt to this digital way of doing things - everyone has realised how much of resources we waste - office space, travelling time, fuel, physical burnout and rather spend that time without family and hobbies - biggest change, this has made the world truely flat now - remote work is for real I agree this new normal is extreme, and believe we would have blend of both going forward Though, Humanising is for real and will not go away
BFSI specialist, Trainer, Marathoner and a die-hard optimist of the future
4 年Well written . However, my guy is that humans will revert to socialising. One way to ascertain is to find how we behaved after the war, after the depression, after the great plague. Thanks to online availability, things could delay but as yournrightly say, man is a social animal and will need to interact. ????????