The Post-pandemic Era: What’s your Exit Plan?

After almost two years, some of us are getting frustrated with the so-called ‘new normal’ induced by the pandemic, which is nothing really to shout out. We are still doing the same things, except that we are taking new and unprecedented precautions such as washing our hands, social distancing and working from home, among other safeguards against the Covid-19 disease. For the vast majority of us, getting vaccinated offers a vial of hope to squirm out from the malicious syndrome we are in, and why not? But we cannot afford to let down our guard until the authorities get their act together to plan an exit, if at all!

However, not everything is looking dismal. Life goes on. Some businesses and industry are ‘breathing’ again – this is to get the economy to recover from the many months of choking under the debris of prolonged lockdowns and movement controls. There are many disruptions still in place, but it’s not too early to prepare for a post-pandemic scenario, albeit one with lessons learnt to avoid similar occurrences in the future. Science has shown that viruses, especially the corona varieties, have a tendency to reemerge years or decades later.

So, the question is: what is your exit plan to reactivate your long-cherished dreams? Your plans to enroll at a university overseas or here in Malaysia. Or are you waiting for the government to roll out its exit plan? The schools may be closed for now, but higher education is online. Check out your options on the internet; there are many out there with excellent study programmes for school leavers, post-graduates and professionals.

Today is the best day to chart out your exit plan for tomorrow. Your ‘lockdown’ is over! World-renowned technologist and a distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School’s Labor and Worklife Program, Vivek Wadhwa said: “the pandemic is a dress rehearsal for the future.” Well, it’s time to take to the center stage and perform. And the world is only eager to engage your talents, skills and knowledge, and reward your net worth accordingly.

Master the careers of the future – robotics, artificial intelligence, computing, cloud engineering, synthetic biology, 3D printing, medicine, nanomaterials, virtual reality, clean energy, genetic engineering, AI – and rise above the disruptive forces that ‘rule’ our lives for a brief period.

Remember The Dash (–); only you can make your ‘dash’ bigger, bolder and livelier. And memorable! Navigate your future through the shattered pieces left behind in the wake of the passing pandemic and clear your path ahead with confidence, perseverance and self-belief. You are okay!

So, look forward with your eye on the future; the experts predict the pandemic will be behind us by early 2022.

I am rearing to go! At least for a much-needed vacation once the nasty pandemic is no longer around. This is my exit plan!