It’s human nature to panic in a crisis, who wouldn’t? It’s also human nature to be resilient. You are working right now with a set of beliefs that are either helping you cope and get what you need, or you’re stuck with beliefs that seem to be sabotaging your success and progress every single day. Especially now, we need to be aware of how much control we have over our thoughts, and how they impact every part of our lives.
A fully conscious mind trumps nurture and nature said author Bruce H. Lipton in his book A Biology of Belief. It is life changing to realize what we were doesn’t have to be what we are; there is no contract we’ve signed that stipulates the past equals the present or the future.
In a time of radical change we need to be the best versions of ourselves, and to …
Become an optimist
There are more pessimists around than needed right now. Optimists will see alternatives which lead to problem solving and creating new solutions. Suzanne Segerstrom, Ph.D. and professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky, says “People who are optimistic are more committed to their goals, are more successful in achieving their goals and are more satisfied with their lives.”And there’s never been a better time to start!
Become the Hero everyone needs
Heroes are idealized for their noble qualities and their courage, and wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you can offer comfort, support, and model confidence for everyone around you. In my keynote/program on how to create an environment of growth and opportunity, i.e. be the Hero everyone needs,” I remind people that Heroes know misery is optional, as is joy. Happiness is a skill and a choice.
Become creative
Become creative in planning how you are going to either handle your business more effectively right now, or how you’re going to cope with one area of this crisis. And before you do anything check your assumptions. Do you assume every business will suffer huge ongoing losses? What can you do differently?
Become grateful
Become aware of the importance of gratitude. Start and end the day with appreciation for absolutely everything you have. Appreciation is an incredible lubricant for helping us feel better and it is a wonderful contagion. There’s never been a more important time to spread an epidemic of appreciation.
Become the light that someone else needs today
Do something for someone for no special reason. Maybe you can’t leave your home but you can be there for others who are in need . Who needs a call or email or help with technology? Have you an elderly neighbor whose dog needs walking or help with getting groceries?
Become innovative
Brainstorm new approaches to growth. Do an idea sprinting exercise, where you (and others virtually) come up with a certain number of ideas, in a very short period of time, regarding one business problem you are facing right now. Again, watch out for assumptions. Hooking up right and left brain can create a more holistic and productive list of ideas. This period of time could offer you a breakthrough you never even thought of, that can propel you forward in ways you couldn’t have imagined before.
Don’t forget, not everyone has your ability to imagine and change the future, and in fact you might hear people referring to an idea as nonsense. Gary Zukav, in his book The Dancing Wu Li Masters says the more clearly we experience something as nonsense, the more clearly we are experiencing the boundaries of our own self-imposed cognitive structures (our judgments of course). Nonsense is that which does not fit into the prearranged patterns on which we have superimposed reality. There is no such thing as nonsense apart from a judgmental intellect which calls it that.
I challenge you to be the Hero others need, to create something that someone might dare to call nonsense, and to stay optimistic!
