There's a lot of uncertainty right now as well there should be. Our lives have been significantly disrupted. They will be for some time. We just don't know how long this will last or what to expect. This is unprecedented in our recent history.

In every crisis, there is opportunity. This is a time that will test your mettle, to see what you're made of. 

First and foremost, your personal health and that of your family, your employees and customers are important. Now is not the time for panic. Now is the time to use good judgment and take a common sense approach to managing your personal health and the health of others. Simply put, follow the guidelines and restrict interaction outside of home.

THE BIG PAUSE

As for your business, it's likely that your company will experience - if it hasn't already - a slowdown. The World is on pause right now. 

Will we be in a recession when the threat of the contagion has ameliorated? Probably.  How deep and how long is anyone’s guess?

PAST EXPERIENCE

We collectively have survived a lot over the years.  Past experience tells us that we can find solutions once we believe we can.

In my lifetime I’ve lived through several recessions, including the last “Great Recession”, the deep recession of the early 1980’s (with depression-like economies in the oil producing states, lost jobs in the so called “rust belt” and rampant inflation and double digit interest rates), 9-11, killer hurricanes including Andrew, wars, epidemics of the 1960’s and threats of nuclear annihilation and the Cold War. 

I believe that if we all act in the best interests of our families and one another, stick to our core values, keep reaching for our goals and shift our mindset we will come out of this crisis stronger and more resilient. That's one of the strengths of us Americans. We overcome adversity.

E + R = O

You can't change the facts. You can only react to the current situation. For every event, there is an outcome. And what affects the outcome (at least on a personal level) is your response. Once an Event occurs, you have a Response based on your past experiences aand there is a resulting Outcome. The only thing you have any control over is your response.  

Every negative event has within it the seed of an equal or greater benefit. - Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich

ADAPT

The current crisis calls for creativity, flexibility and adaptability. Accept the facts as they are. Embrace this new reality, however temporary it may be. Don't resist what is. Seek out the opportunities that will present themselves. Then choose to act rather than react. Be a leader. 

I too have had to adapt. My CEO and Leaders event, Enjoy Your Success Now which was last Friday, was to be a live in-person experience. I continued to host it as a live virtual online event.  

F.E.A.R.

These are stressful times. I'm sure you or someone you know is worried, anxious and even stressed out. Fear like all emotions is temporary unless you allow it to overtake and overwhelm. I invite you to think of fear in this way:

Fear = Fantasized Experiences Appearing Real.

It's an expectation, a strong unpleasant feeling, that something bad will happen. That something may or may not occur. What really matters is the present moment and your actions in that moment.

 MY ADVICE

Stay positive; stay in the present moment and take on each day as it comes; avoid anxiety, fear and panic; limit the information you absorb through what I call information fasting; find a way to cope with the very likely business, financial, social and physical disruption; and deal with the uncertainty that we are all faced with. 

If you find during this PAUSE that you have time for things other than your work, enjoy the pause. Enjoy time this new found time with your family. Tackle the things you were putting off until you had time. Read for the fun of reading (I'm reading the latest Bernard Cornwell novel). Take time to exercise. It's one of the best ways to boost your immune system.

Do you find this extra time unnerving? Would you like a tool to help you cope and manage the stress, uncertainty, worry and anxiety? I created a 10 Minute Reset for you, one that has helped me in times like these. It's a guided meditation that will help you refocus and regain clarity in these uncertain times.  Click Here to receive it now.

FINAL NOTE

Managing yourself and others well during a crisis can bring the best out in the best. Act with humility, show compassion, accept what is, be adaptable, choose your mindset and be a leader. That's what your family, your colleagues, your friends, and your customers need right now.  Together we all will get through this troubling time.  

Until next time!

P.S. Receive my 10 Minute Reset now.