Editorial

“In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity.” This is one of those phrases that has already been repeated so much that its author is not precisely known. Without a doubt, the reference to Einstein makes a lot of sense, because the first thing that scientists generally do is start from observation and a hypothesis to be validated, not from prejudice, a complaint, or from excessively problematizing reality. But is this a privilege only for geniuses? How can we see the opportunities when everything is so complicated?

Living in such a deep crisis where we cannot see a clear exit due to the information we handle, we are dominated on many occasions by objections or complaints, and it is difficult to marvel at what is happening in front of our eyes. It is not about minimizing the personal, work and family challenges that each one has to live, but most of the time it seems as if reality is no longer an ally and has become an enemy.

Facing this great challenge there are two key factors that are worth taking into account: knowledge of reality and of ourselves.

Firstly, the position that one has in front of reality is decisive in order to know it: like scientists, the starting point is to use the senses and observe what happens. However, many times we want to get going and act, skipping that fundamental first step. This applies not only on a personal level but in various areas of life. For example, when undertaking (for-profit or non-profit) entrepreneurship: listening to what people complain about and what needs they have, what services, products or solutions are lacking, it is essential to understand the reality that surrounds us.

Secondly, there is self-knowledge or better yet, self-awareness of ourselves. This is a very fascinating path that constitutes a very sensitive subject because the common mentality qualifies people by defining parameters and models of “success” and aspiration of what “we should be”. In many cases, we have lost a tender look at ourselves and we ignore or want to hide those “cracks” that are uncomfortable, in order to fit into certain contexts or community dynamics. The same thing happens when we undertake entrepreneurship, we have to be very clear not only of “what we like”, but what we are good at and what we are not good at. Nothing is objectionable, because it is precisely in lacking where an adventure of learning and collaboration with others can begin.

Let’s look at everything, everyone and ourselves with great openness, because as Leonard Cohen says, “There is a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”