Surviving and Thriving
in times of uncertainty.
When the fear associated with uncertainty starts to spin out of control, Tall Poppies step up! Ian Stephens, Australia's No. 1 Peak Performance Coach, and author of 'The 7 Step Pathway to mastery' says people have a choice; stay on the side-lines and join in the feeding frenzy, or manage their mind, find the 'opportunities' and influencing thinking.
When the going gets tough, true leaders (and self leaders) act as a 'circuit breaker' by leading self and other in four (4) key areas:
Let's explore each:
Panic stands for 'Paranoid Action Not In Consciousness'. We are acting emotionally driven by our sub-conscious beliefs, fears and perceptions. As US President Franklin D. Roosevelt said back in 1932 "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself". Those thinking rationally know that we are simply in a 'down cycle'. They don't buy into the 'doom and gloom' mentality; they control their mind, flick out the negative and stay focused on opportunities. As my wife pointed out "There is realism and fatalism - don't confuse the two". Yes people need to be realistic about the 'Financial Season' we are in, but don't forget winter is followed by spring. We are not saying 'thinking positive' is the answer, but don't let your psychological guard down - negativity and fatalism breeds hysteria. And remember that any situation facing us is not as important as our attitude to it.
With a so called 'global financial crisis' gripping the world, everywhere you turn there is negative news. TV, radio, newspapers, business magazines; the bad news is relentless and it overwhelms the sub-conscious mind. We get emotionally drawn in and then we get irrational. Whether the information is real, a figment of your imagination or a fantasy, the sub-conscious mind accepts it as fact. If we constantly receive negative information, via self-talk or others, and allow it to penetrate, the sub-conscious mind has no choice but to believe it, and act accordingly. You have a choice to make; let external events control you're thinking, or step up and ...
Every cloud has a silver lining. I belief that and so does P. Robins in his letter to the editor (The Australian - 13/10/08)
"Don't panic, folks. When the dust settles, we shall emerge with a stronger economy and a better society. Out of chaos, good things will come. Depend on it."
And we can depend on it. It's a universal law that everything goes through cycles and growth occurs. The darkest of night is followed by a new dawn. The achievers will be buying up stocks right now at 'fire-sale' prices. They seize the opportunity. They recognize that you can profit from crisis. They operate to the following poem:
Looking back, it seems to me
All the grief, which had to be,
Left me when the pain was over
Richer than I'd been before. Anonymous
Fear is simply motivating them to take action, and yet for most it paralyzes them into inaction. Challenge negative beliefs and look at the whole financial crisis as an opportunity in disguise. Albert Einstein said "In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity". Thinking this way opens the minds 'filter system' and we start to see creative ways to capitalize on them. These opportunities are always there, but seldom accessed or acted upon. From here we should...
Get the organization, team, department or self mobilized by setting a well-formed outcome for the immediate short term future. Our focus shifts to what we pay attention to the most. Are you paying attention to the doom and gloom, or putting energy into your some outcomes, targets, goals and aspirations? What we focus on consistently dictates how we feel emotionally, so step up and create a new or re-NEW-ed focus. A sign in a Melbourne cafe said it all; "We create more opportunities than we find".
Next, take some time out to get focused on the medium term. Go out into the future three years and describe what you have achieved and gained. Act as if you have not only survived but thrived during the so called down-time. The sub-conscious mind can't tell fact from fantasy. The world always makes room for someone who knows what they want.
Don't do what most will do in a tough economic season and play small. Do the opposite. Think big, create a well-formed outcome and get active. Down times don't last. Tough people do. The people and organizations that will not only survive this season, but thrive and grow, are those who get certain about their future. And in amongst their list of goals, they never forget to...
One of the 7 universal Life requirements is the need to serve and assist others. When we stop thinking just of ourselves, and show some altruism, we simply feel better about ourselves. By giving we receive.
"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself".
Ralph Waldo Emerson
A mental shift occurs as we realize that regardless of how grim things look for us, we remind ourselves there is always someone doing it tougher. Step up and serve others in some way. Being fearful is inward thinking, and it keeps the focus on your problems. It doesn't matter if it is a family member, friend, colleague or a stranger, find someone or a cause you can assist, coach mentor or support. The moral is simple, by serving one another we can create a little heaven here on earth, despite the uncertainty happening around us.
Ian Stephens. Ian is Australia's No: 1 sales specialist and peak performance coach. In 2007 he was listed by Saxton Speakers Bureau in the top 10 motivational speakers in Australia. He has a passion for the practical, coupled with an ability to inspire and equip people with simple everyday tools to manage their mind and 'state' during times of uncertainty. For further information visit the web site: www.ianstephens.net.au