5P survival strategy for entrepreneurs during the pandemic

Dr Sumedha Kushwaha *

While I was doing my fellowship in Social Entrepreneurship a couple of years back, all of us fellows had to take a trip together to a very rural underserved part of the country to see how we can design systems for that particular place to uplift the lives of people. It was 4 day stay with the locals.

On the second day of the trip, a trek was organized for us early morning. We all woke up in time, got dressed and started to trek the mighty hill in front of us. When we reached the top of the hill,we were all given time to introspect and contemplate how we felt.

I would like to share with you what I thought that day. When we reach the top of the hill, its an ultimate joy to see the view, to feel the cool air flowing through our hair and gently touching our faces.

But this joy is also a sum of the smaller yet significant challenges we overcame all our way till the top- the rock which seemed to slip but we took a risk and put our foot on it to take the next step or that small shrub to which we held while going up and trying not to slip down- all those things seem very insignificant during that time, seem small, seem like if this passed, what’s next- actually are the small joys.

So when we reach the top we are happy in manifolds. Our journey there is a culmination of sheer hard work and joy for taking up and passing the test of so many challenges. That’s happiness in truest sense, we earned it. We got it because we deserved it.

To all the people who are struggling during this time of pandemic, please don’t be disheartened. I will talk about the 5P’s to help you all through this.

5P’s are
Passion,
Perseverance,
Planning,
Patience and
Prayer.

This time has come to test us, to see where we have the passion to do what we were doing. If we are passionate about something, we are adamant about what we want no matter what. The stubbornness should be about our passion but we should be flexible about the ways to reach there.

Sometimes there is no real action on ground in our enterprises, but there is a lot of survival strategy/observation going on in our brains. Don’t think that this is futile. Creativity comes beyond thought. You have this beautiful time use your mind space to create innovative designs to solve your own problems. Its also a time to persevere.

Sometimes, we get so tired of the routine, that it feels like lets just give up. But its not necessary to take big bold steps all the time. Taking small yet wise steps is okay. The idea is to just keep moving on.

My dad often says, when life throws eggs at you, it’s the wisest to duck down rather getting it in your face. Sometimes taking a step backwards is just like the lion.It takes two steps backwards and then jumps with full force on its prey. Its also about planning and preparing.

These times are very uncertain, but thinking of alternative routes- showing flexibility in plans, adapting according to times, putting your brains to find ways to solve your problems is the ultimate use of your skills which you gathered over all these years.

Next, we need to have patience. I can understand if you have invested your money in your venture and things do not seem to be moving. But when you have invested your time, energy and money in something you always wanted to do, it would not be wise to let go on hope.

Remember how a seed a sown, then a shoot comes out, then a small fragile plant and years after it grows into a strong tree. So, ventures/ enterprises are also like that. It’s a process which will make you a stronger human being every day.

Last but not the least, pray for those who have lost lives and family members during this time. Pay for gratitude if you ate the last meal properly. Please understand that these are extra ordinary times.

Years later, we shall tell stories of the same to our grandchildren! Don’t lose hope! Talk about problems to someone who would care and help you. This time has come not just to test our physical health but also our mental health!