Performance at the Nexus: Building Capacity from Challenge

How do those of us who have the capacity to navigate in the face of this global health crisis, particularly those who excel within it, help those who lack sufficient capacity? How do we help bolster depleted or missing resources - physical and/or emotional - to ensure each of us may grow in the face of challenge? We can never achieve societal, political, and organizational excellence unless each and every individual has sufficient capacity to make it so. How can we help each other and help ourselves in the process?

It's curious to observe how alive everyone seems currently. How everyone seems so incredibly engaged. And not just in one particular area of the world, but everywhere, around the globe. Do you know anyone whose senses aren't 100% kicked into full gear right now? Anyone who is feeling lukewarm about anything? It's like we are all experiencing life in a new dimension. Extreme. Fully on, fully present. Are we like this because of some fear or recognition of how close death can be, or is? Or maybe because living every moment, aware and conscious of our environment, our lives, offers us some sense of control? A belief that if we remain alert, we can protect ourselves from all of that unknown? Protect ourselves from just how vulnerable we really are in this life? ...Whatever the answer, it appears this virus brought with it a strong and deep awareness of life. It seems to be forcing us to live life fully, despite (or because?) of the "social distancing", the lockdowns, the growing number of life and livelihood loses. It has offered us the "rainbow along with the rain". Right? Well, yeah. For some of us.

But not everyone is appreciating this 'woke' state of being right now. Sure, for those of us who have sufficient emotional and physical capacity - resources like a loving family, health, sufficient funds, enough space, and nature right outside our doors - well, then the current crisis offers some gains, like time to reflect, to take better care of one's health, to feel gratitude for what we may have previously taken for granted, or to learn new ways to approach work and connect with others, etc.. But for many, this time of presence and mindfulness, is not rewarding. It is stressful, exhausting, overwhelming. For some - those without sufficient physical or emotional resources - their experience of "mindfulness" consists of a keen awareness of just how cramped and inadequate their living spaces are, of how their commute to work (well, that is, if they haven't lost their job) is now filled with new dangers unimaginable even one month ago, or, for millions, of how they no longer have access to the social and educational systems that helped feed and educate their children...or themselves for that matter. The strain this new reality has placed on many humans, both in a physical and psychological way, has overwhelmed their ability to respond in a resilient fashion. It is "life out of balance". And as such, their ability to perform is compromised. For these individuals - some our neighbors, friends, and family - the challenge of the unknown have overwhelmed their ability to respond to it. There's no thriving here. And for more than we know, there is no surviving here.

An Appeal to The Resilient to Help Build it for Others

To those who are growing and expanding through this unprecedented crisis, who are ably resilient in the face of challenge, and fortunate enough to have sufficient resources/capacity, I appeal to you. I ask that each of us find ways to creatively use our inactive time (our way, those of us working from home, to contribute to gaining control over the spread of this virus) to actively bolster the capacity of those who do not have sufficient physical and/or emotional resources. And doing so will not just allow you to DO something meaningful as you may be housebound, nor will it allow you to feel terribly altruistic, because the reality is, the commitment you make is advantageous from a societal and organizational perspective. Because the more of us who are resilient in the face of challenge, the more we accomplish, produce, deliver, excel. For my part, I just took action to re-activate my clinical practice license so I can offer virtual tele-therapy to struggling adolescents and young adults. I will be grateful to have a way to help, to do what I can to help bolster human capacity and human strength. And because we are in this together, I know it advantages my community, my colleagues, my family...so me too.

In close, in these unprecedented times where we are reminded of what it means to be alive, I ask that each of us who have sufficient capacity and resources, to consider how we can bolster the capacity of others so they too may thrive in the face of challenge. Whether your effort might be motivated by selfish or selfless intent matters not, because the win is in the play. We all benefit from collective resilience. So, what can you do differently than you did a month ago, that might actively contribute to your own and other's capacity?