POWER FOR FACING CRISIS

A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine invited my wife and I to a launching event in another city, for a College that specializes in training leaders. We were very excited about the invitation. Events like this are good opportunities to grow in relationship with friends, and to us this was an opportunity to find out if this new College, would be a good opportunity to increase our vision.

During the event, in the middle of one of the speeches, suddenly our host friend asked us to stop everything what we were doing and we went  outside of the building to see the eruption of a  volcano that had been silent for more than 50 years,  just 30 kms away.

As we were very close to the volcano, nevertheless in a safe distance, we could see the amazing spectacle of fire, hashes and lightings that nature was given to us.

But suddenly that sensation of excitement and fascination changed to concerning and (I dare to say) panic for physical wholeness for some of the attendees.
We decided to call our daughters (two of 12 and 10 years old)  to make them sure that we were OK. The event was suspended for the rest of the day. Most of the attendees decided to leave the building and go back to their homes. Others from outside the city changed their flight plans and leave the city by land as soon as possible.

This could be considered normal in this kind of situation. But I want to invite you to consider for a moment what could be a proper reaction in a scary situation in life (family, finances, job, etc)

What can we do when there are some threating events for our lives, physical or emotional well-being?

1.    Do what you can do

When a financial crisis arises there are some things that you can do: review your budget, rationalize some expenses, etc. When family crisis come, there are some things you can do to help to contain the situation: if there is a relational problem, talking to the other part involved to find a way to solution, show love, etc.

2.    Don´t try to do what you cannot do

Don’t waste your energy trying  to change the things that are beyond your control. You can do something to control your budget, but you couldn’t do anything to control something like the real estate crash of 2011 in the US.

In the financial, family or work bankruptcy, the main question it´s not “are you doing something to solve it?” (I hope you do!), but the main question is, are you feeling guilty for things you cannot control? Maybe somebody in your team broke your trust and shared something he didn’t supposed to with the competition. Or in the family you are facing some wrong decisions of your son / daughter and you can`t do anything to change his/her mind.

 There are things you can control. Those are problems to solve.  But others you cannot. Those are facts to accept.  We have to know the difference between both because this is key to maintain our mind and soul healthy in times of crisis.

If you are passing through situations that causes anxiety and you think you can do something to solve, do it, but don´t let yourself be lead into panic if your efforts are not enough.

I have a friend who grew up in a farm. His father had a barn where along with the grains, he kept half of the machinery he used for the farm. One night the barn caught fire. The work of 6 months was gone along with the money invested in the machinery as well. Firemen came to control the spread of the fire but it was too late to save something of the barn. “My father could have said: well that’s it! – my friend said- We lost everything” and regret and get depressed for the lost. The fire was something that he couldn´t control. But there was something he could. The next day he called his neighbors, explained the situation and he offer to buy grain to credit and rent some of their machinery to lift up the farm again.  

3.    Keep your vision in front

A stumble, even a fall in business doesn’t mean what you do it´s not correct or it doesn’t have any future. Re focusing in times of crisis often leads to keep your vision simple. In times of crisis, if you give assignments to your team accordingly (something they can do), probably that will create a good environment for work, until you regain momentum.

4. Affirm and challenge your team

In times of crisis the most that a team needs is the affirmation of the leader. Assure them in the best of your knowledge that you will do YOUR BEST, to keep them in job. Don’t rise up false expectations, but if they see and hear from you that you need them and you will do all possible to keep them, that affirmation will give relief to them, even if the future looks uncertain.

5. Faith

Believing is not something merely religious. It`s the expectation that there`s a reward for the good actions and motivations even when the situation looks bleak at this point. For those of us who believe in the supernatural, we know that there is a God who sees everything and who is able to intervene in our favor during times of crisis. Never forget there is a reward for those who proceed with integrity and good motives in life. May be not now immediately but it`ll come if you keep faithful in the crisis.

Have a great week!