We are living in an era of changes. Brian Main has said that changes are like strong winds. While some face them by building walls for protection, others build wind mills to take advantage. Where do you belong? Changes do create insecurity in both choices. The difference lies in how one deals with the insecurity which creates uncertainty. Below you will find some practical advice (I hope useful) so that you can overcome this different and demanding period and all of its consequences.
- Seek an opportunity in every situation. From every crisis there is always an opportunity. Seek the one that fits best or even better create your own. Inspire yourself from Napoleon who said “Circumstances-what are circumstances? I make circumstances” or from Sir Richard Branson “If I paid attention to what was said on the news, by others or competitors, I would never have accomplished all I have!”
- Do not get disappointed, panic or quit before the problem knocks on your door. My theory is simple and has worked for myself and my clients to a great extent: when something is bothering you wonder: a) is there a way to influence the outcome? b) Who or what is the way to do so? c) What will I gain from constant worry? d) How would I benefit from a more positive stance?
- Prepare for anything that may go wrong by choosing alternative routes for yourself. The key is to always have choices. Theory states that there are always at least 3 alternatives: One that you usually follow, one totally opposite and (most often) one in the middle. The question behind the 3 options is the price you’ll have to pay and how it will affect those you care for. Which is most in line with your values, your desires, and your level of endurance?
- “Move! You are not a tree!”, as my grandmother would say. If you see fire coming towards you and you stay motionless, you will probably burn. We tend to choose negativity because the unknown seems worse. Hence we remain in our comfort zone and…we whine about all that happens there! Dare to exit from that comfort zone before the circumstances order you to! Every challenge, problem or even hardship enters our life to make us wiser, stronger, and more capable! See it as an opportunity to learn. In this way not only will you truly learn but-through the eyes of the observer – you can better direct your attention and energy to seek a solution and not focus on the problem itself.
- Explore your knowledge and maintain the opinion you have about yourself. The only things no one can take away from you is your knowledge, your acquaintances and the opinion you hold about yourself. Anything you are called upon to face, always remember to widen the first two and safeguard the last. When the external instability grows then all you know usually starts taking a more threatening turn, above all, you need to remain calm and keep a clarity of thought which stems from the certainty that you will overcome it. And this certainty stems from your knowledge, your strong confidence and profound self-esteem.
- Always be grateful for all you have and have asked for. Don’t take for granted all you have accomplished until now. By saying this, I also mean to stress that anything you have accomplished is not a given. The only certainty in this life is change. It is logical that we want to retain all we have earned. Yet you will enjoy a better life if you realize that everything is short lived and the sense of certainty is totally unpredictable. So it is extremely important to value and enjoy each moment, every emotion, every … clothing, nice cutlery while we can! Tomorrow it may all change. What is inevitable is the present, and the positive emotions we create, select, acquire, take pleasure in and remember from each “today”.
- As an old saying goes “may god not grant you all you can endure”. But if he does you should know that you can. Our limits are far beyond what the eye can see. Everything depends on motivation: The stronger and more vital the motive, the greater the potential & determination will be.
- Take Action. Don’t hope things will change on their own. The “universe conspiring for you” story is nice, but you have to do something as well! Besides, if you believe the universe will do something for you personally, then you will probably experience every misfortune as a universal attack, which will not help you at all. So decide what you are willing to do to improve your life and do it!
- Do not socialize with negative and moody people. Choose to spend time with positive, creative and productive people. In his book titled “Connected”, Dr. Christakis proves via years of research and sets out with extreme clarity to what extent we are influenced by our surroundings / environment. The amazing outcome is that we are not only influenced by those closest to us -family and friends, but also by friends of friends and so on! In other words if you are fairly optimistic and socialize with negative people who in turn hang out with pessimistic friends who also have discontented friends… then you will end up like one of them.
- Maintain faith that “this crisis” and many more, will be overcome. As I mentioned, everything changes, and that is good. As all can be lost in a split second and from one moment to the other amazing things can happen. Above all don’t forget: Life has a greater imagination than we do.