Don’t fear the storm, for it is merely a test of our resilience.
I love this Scottish saying. It reflects the Scottish – nay universal – spirit of facing adversity head-on, confident in our ability to withstand trials and emerge stronger on the other side.
Particularly timely given as Marketing & Comms professionals, we face job cuts, and a pervasive sense of anxiety.
In my 26 -year journey as a change agent, I’ve faced 6 restructures and 3 redundancies. I know first-hand how this uncertainty ‘inflates’ the issue in your mind, bubbles up your hidden fears and influences how you respond to every situation – not always favourably. When losing your job, it’s hard not take it personally nor to feel it’s a reflection of your competence.
Did you know your journey is about 2 worlds? Your inner and external worlds. What’s MOST important is how you master your inner world.
Here’s 3 tips on how to do this from someone who’s been there:
ACKNOWLEDGE THE EMOTION THEN QUICKLY MOVE TO THE FACTS
We’re all human. I’m not suggesting you’ll never ‘feel’ the impact of what you’re facing. I’m suggesting is take a moment to acknowledge your emotion but I urge you not to ‘linger’ in it. It’s wasted time. Time when you can put your logical hat on, look at the facts NOT the stories about the situation. Seek out the ‘data points’ that confirm or refute the emotion you’re feeling so you can ground yourself. It helps you with your decison-making and your wellbeing.
My clients told me the first time this felt ‘uncomfortable’ yet got easier and faster each time. Ultimately, it’s helped them ‘rewire’ their response to any storm they’ll face…
LIGHTEN THE LOAD: DECIDE WHAT YOU’D LIKE THE OUTCOME TO BE
Do you often feel things are being ‘done to you’?
That’s often the case in these situations. After assessing the facts, ask yourself honestly what you’d like the outcome to be. You may actually want to take a different turn in your journey in a new position or leaving your organisation. Making this decision makes you feel stronger and steadfast. It makes you feel ‘lighter’ as you shake off the additional weight of thoughts/emotions associated with outcomes you don’t actually want.
TAKE CONTROL: UNDERSTAND HOW ‘REAL’ YOUR FEAR IS WITH A PLAN
Anxiety and uncertainty blur what you think’ll happen. It can make you take rash action you regret later.
A recent client was struggling with competing personal and professional setbacks. We:
• agreed her ultimate priority
• plotted key events in a timeline to see how both played out
• identified key milestones, information gaps and who’d fill them
• when she’d need to press ‘go’ on a ‘B’plan if needed.
She’s now got a ‘real’ understanding of what lies ahead, feels calmer and confident she’s taking the ‘right’ next steps.
Here’s to embracing tempests…let me know below if this hits the mark for you.
It’s your journey – travel it well with Turas.