“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” — T.S. Eliot

In case you are still hesitating to come outside, winter is over, the longtails are back and it’s time to take a long slow deep breath of fresh air and prepare yourself for the next phase of the journey.

For inasmuch as there is a temptation to view the easing of social distancing restrictions as the end of the crisis and a time for merriment (and to a certain degree there is cause for celebration), now is not the time to relax.

In fact, it is just the opposite.

Following a “winter of discontent”, we see possibilities on the horizon. Possibility for economic growth, tourism recovery and new business ventures.

But as we emerge from the shadow of prolonged isolation, we will also see for the first time just how much the world has really changed and how these changes will for ever alter how we attract and secure new business — how we conduct foreign trade, how we import goods and just how much we are impacted by the actions of foreign powers on the other side of the world.

For those of you who have spent the past two years researching, networking and testing new methods of collaborating, I applaud your foresight and encourage you to pursue these new opportunities like never before.

Now is the time to roll up your sleeves and really get to work — for your real journey is just beginning.

For those who have been waiting patiently for things to “get back to normal”, please realise that this is not going to happen; this is no longer an ‘every man for himself’ sort of world.

We need to find new ways to work together, partner and help each other expand our businesses and attract new customers both locally and internationally.

We need to realise that as individuals we are limited, and that even the brightest light can only shine so far.

But together we have the resources, and the brain power and the ingenuity, to accomplish anything we set our minds to.

This is no longer the time to ask, “What’s in it for me?”

The world is still in a volatile state of transition and, as recent events in the Ukraine have demonstrated, you cannot foresee what is coming next.

Now is the time to look around you and consider who you can work with to make better use of your skills and resources to expand what you offer without incurring extra upfront costs so that you both benefit.

In short (at least until we come up with a better mantra), we all need to embrace the immortal words of The Three Musketeers, the famed historical adventure novel written in 1844 by French author Alexandre Dumas — “All for one and one for all”.

Robin Trimingham is the managing director of The Olderhood Group Ltd and a business consultant, journalist, podcaster and thought leader in the fields of life transition and change management. Connect with Robin at https://bit.ly/3nSMlvc or robin@olderhood.com