Lesson Learned

The Best Advice for These Times: Be Open-Minded and Flexible

Do you have a choice?

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” ― Albert Einstein

Nobody would have believed that this crisis would hurt us so much. In the worst-case scenario, anyone considered the entire world would stop for it.

It happened, it was incredible. Wealthy people are getting down. The average people are anxious about these uncertain times. This pandemic affected considerably to everyone.

It’s a lesson that money is a tool that can help us. Be locked with money doesn’t help. First time I saw high, medium, and low class at the same level.

When I stopped working was hard for me. Be at home with my family wasn’t easy. Change the routine was hard. I had to get used to it. I never spend so much time with family. It was hard at the beginning.

Our routine change drastically. I used to work 8 hours per day, and my commute to work was two hours more. So, basically 10 hours per day witch was a lot. The change was significant.

After weeks of trying different things to create a routine, we finally got it. I was impressed with the job my wife was doing at home with the babies. I keep telling everyone; my job was a joke if I compare what I have to do at home now with two daughters.

It took me time to assimilate everything and find a new path for our daily routine.

There are changes in life, and nobody likes changes. Changes mean fear, being out of your box. There is two kinds of people now, the ones who are flexible and accept the change and the ones who show resistance.

Recognize Things Have Changed

In my mind, I had to recognize that things are changed. In the beginning, I tried to be attached to my past, thinking it is just for a moment. It will pass soon. This never happened. Why did I keep that thought?

• I was afraid of change
• The uncertain future was frightening me
• I felt secure in my comfort zone
• I refused to learn something new
• My ego tried to protect me and keep in a place where I couldn’t be hurt
• Even if I knew everything changed, I kept hoping the fake idea that everything will be like before.

And nothing was real.

Things change, and nobody wants to start from zero.

In This Situation, You Don’t Have a Choice

Change or die.

When I hear this phrase for the first time, I never considered I would analyze so profoundly. This phrase is indeed the representation of what is going on right now.

Now is time — the best opportunity. You don’t have a choice.

But you can see this opportunity as a blessing to change your world.

I always wanted to quit my job. I have been thinking for two years. The only reason that I keep myself there was the bills that I have to pay and my family to support. I have to be grateful for it; I used to make good money there. But what about now.

Now that’s everything closed; I have no choice. And instead to worry about it. Start to develop a new skill, change my perspective of things. Firstly keep in your mind:

• Recognize first everything changes.
• Find things you enjoy and focus on it.
• Make a plan of action to execute.
• When you focus on something and start to take action, results come.

Just one request is a must for this; let see.

Be Open-Minded and Flexible

Indeed, this is a good fact. Sound ironic, but it is. Some people are closed-minded, always comfortable being comfortable. They never wanted to learn anything new. They used to keep this question in mind.

Why I have to learn something if o already know something, and I am making a ton of money out of it? Now that you are not making that money, and there is no job in that area that you know, what are you going to do about it?

You have to be open to new changes and do not feel bad about it. I used to work as a waiter in a restaurant, not anymore. Now I can work on everything if I need to. And I do not feel bad about it. ( I was tired of my job, so it is an opportunity to change).

Nowadays, there is no room to feel bad about this change. You will learn something new. You will meet new people, new experiences.

And the essential thing you will open your mind. You will start to have a growth mindset rather than keeps the fixed mindset that has been held in that box for a long time.

Now, I enjoy time at home. I see, and I am present with them. Life is allowing us to change as a father, as a human being as a person.

This life is showing us that money is just a tool that, in situations like this. When you are locked down at home, it has no value.

Keep showing up. It is time to think and reflex to forget about the past. As you shift your closed mind to an open mind, you will be ready to do this.

This is a good opportunity for everyone to change for the better. Be open first, and you will see a lot of options will appear out there.

You can start making a call that person you fought with. Have a conversation with that person. Tell your parents how much you love them. You never know what will happen tomorrow.

Change is evolution, change comes with fear, and fear is a sign of growth. And always be open to learning something new.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” — Mahatma Gandhi

If you want more stories like this or different topics, let me know here!

Godofredo Rojas is a writer, chef, and constant learner from Peru. He studied in Le Cordon Bleu in Lima, Peru. He moved to New York in March 2011. You can find him on Facebook and Twiter.