It is time. Time to pick ourselves up and take steps, however small, forward. We have absorbed the shock of the virus and probably have come to accept that some of what we knew is lost forever. However, life must go on and we may as well choose to push forward with hope and gratefulness in our hearts.

We have lost—some much more than others—but there is a path forward. It may be a bit murky and not afford us the chance to charge ahead with reckless abandon. Progress, however, is required of us all. We were built to pursue our dreams and to discover the best of ourselves. When we run into challenges, we can rejoice because we know that they are good for us. We just need to be patient.

Patience develops character and builds strength. It allows us hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all will be well. The human spirit is rooted in perseverance and this is a time to show off that strength. And while crisis management and short term decisions are dominating our time, we need to turn our attention to a longer term vision. With that in mind, we reached out to 30 people within our CANVAS community to get perspective on the emerging landscape. The answers demonstrate that we share both hopes and concerns, which reminds us that we are in this together. And it means that we can start taking steps forward courageously.

Take a peek at some of what people had to say. Maybe you will see a bit of yourself in there as well as opportunity on the horizon.

What is one thing you are doing in the new normal that you will continue doing even after the pandemic is over?

• Talking to people. I have actually talked with more people for longer than ever before. 
• Connecting before virtually and working from home.
• Leadership will emerge in moments of adversity and will need to be prevalent. We will be looking to our leaders within business for structure and advice. 
• More time for reflection/reading. Slowing down.
• Frugality. I realize how little stuff we really need. 
• Prospecting more.

What kinds of businesses do you think will struggle in the next few years?

• I hope big banks get beaten up good. I think they are greedy and only serve their biggest clients.
• Ones that do not have standardized processes, or motivated and engaged individuals to run those processes. Ones that don’t have leaders with clear visions of things to come.
• Events, restaurants, bars, travel, airlines, hotels, transportation, gyms, salons, spas, movie theaters, and bowling alleys
• All small businesses will struggle
• Large Manufacturing and ALL Education
• Those that don’t know how to accept change and struggle with marketing.
• China-dependent businesses and any businesses that have over-saturated the market.

What kind of businesses might emerge?

• Manufacturing should come back to our country in some manner. The addiction to data needs to stop.
• Innovative, flexible and adaptable organizations. I know this sounds like a cop out, but I don’t think this is industry specific. 
• Training will be huge. A billion dollar industry for sure. Self help after this crisis will be in large demand.
• Digital communication technologies like Zoom
• Continued rise of technology and online everything—retail, healthcare, schools
• Healthcare, counseling, self care
• Safety signage
• Cleaning products, food companies, new food packaging, more single serve options
• Food delivery and take out as a subset of restaurants
• Local business will flourish as fewer people travel. More cocooning will occur and people will move more to local town strategy.
• I think the kinds of businesses that might emerge will be ones that are conscious of the fact that some consumers will be wary of going to stores.

What have you learned about your brand you didn’t know existed before?

• Having more time to think is actually good.
• I’m more open minded.
• I DO miss being around my management team and the energy we generate as a team.
• Patience
• I am calmer than most people about this virus and economic effects
• There are ways to maintain a “team” approach, even when working individually.
• I can withstand anything.
• To stay calm, be open to new directions or opportunities, stay humble and energized to meet each new day.
• It is somehow much easier to handle a crisis when you know so many others share your pain—it makes everything so much more bearable.
• How vulnerable I am to outside influences I have little or no control over.
• Miss face to face human contact.
• Didn’t realize my need to get and see people.
• I am adaptable
• I’m resilient.
• I can keep myself composed while others seem to fall apart.

We are all in this together. And it is clear we share some commonalities. So, be safe, be hopeful and move forward!