Navigating through Crises
In this current COVID-19 environment, we must have strong and powerful principles for navigating through the crisis.
What we are witnessing can be seen as panic when people begin to forget their fellow man, the community, and begin to hoard the supplies that we all need. That is just one red flag that should spark the 5 principles below:
- Do No Harm – this is a principle of restraint. Stay home for now, if you can, follow the governmental guidelines and those of your company as well. Keep safety in mind while not panicking and creating anxiety for yourself and others.
- Make things Better – Rally together to address the unmet developing needs of those around you. Ask yourself, what am I doing to make things better for others during this crisis? How might this turn out to be beneficial and make a positive difference in my world? For example, I have had clients and friends be on the “lookout” for products for others in need.
- Respect Others – With your co-workers, family, and friends, keep your promises, tell the truth and project confidentiality. Be kind. Case in point: Just this morning I was at a local grocery (looking for TP for the office) and as I was asking the cashier about delivery of TP the man behind me just interrupted giving his phone number to the cashier. Not only was that rude, but completely unhelpful in this climate. We can at least be kind and respectful of those around us.
- Learn from it – What can be learned from this challenging time? What have you learned about yourself…about those around you? What attitudes are you spotting? Are you responding or reacting to the situation? How can you be more prepared (emotionally) for the next challenge life throws at you?
- Strengthen your Faith – Take a look at where you place your faith. For example, if it is in the stock market or your employment, just look at how quickly that can change. What can you have faith in that will strengthen your resolve and increase your resiliency? What are you top 3 values and what is your plan to preserve them curing a crisis?
The bottom line in finding peace during a crisis or any challenging time is to know yourself. What drives you, what are your strengths and from where –or whom- do you draw that strength? To use a euphemism from one of my clients, where are you being a “non-grownup” and how will you, instead, lean into the situation with confidence, respect for others, do no harm, make things better and strengthening your faith?
