When it feels like everything is going left when it should be going right, it often feel like the only solution is to resign yourself to giving up. What many people don’t realise is that often with crisis comes opportunity.
Below are our top tips for staying calm in troubled water…
Change your perspective
“When nothing is going right, trying going left!” When things are going wrong it can be hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel, but if you look hard enough the chances are you’ll end up finding one. Take a step back and look at your problem from a different angle and consider the possibilities your problem has created for you.
2. Believe in the impossible
As human beings we very often catastrophize situations, but successful business men and women often train themselves to focus on the best possible outcome. Take a moment to forget the issue at hand and picture positives that could develop from the situation. Could this crisis be a stepping stone toward improving your product or service? Chances are it could be.
3. Create your own rules
Just because it hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it can’t be done now. If you’ve exhausted every immediate option you can think of for resolving your crisis, give yourself time to think of something no one has done before. This should help turn your crisis into a new opportunity.
4. Get some air
Whilst leaving the office may seem like the last thing you should do, going outside for a walk and getting some fresh air could give you the perspective you need. Not only will the endorphins from going for a walk help you feel calmer about the situation, it will help you clear your head giving you a chance to think around the issue at hand.
5. Begin a new channel of communication
If you have a team working with you get them together and see if you can work around the issue as a group. If you’re doing things solo get in touch with a peer or trusted friend. Having someone else to discuss your issues with and gaining their perspective will often help you see a way to fix things that you may have once missed.
6. Address the issue at hand
Don’t hide away from the issue! Shying away from any issue will not only make it harder for you to fight your way out of it, it also puts off finding a solution. If your issue is affecting others, be transparent with the people it’s affecting, you’re honesty will reward you in the long run.
7. Take it one step at a time
Break down your crisis into small manageable chunks. It will help it seem less daunting and allow you to ensure all bases are covered when coming to a resolution. By approaching your crisis in this fashion, you will also see where there are areas for possible improvements in the future.
8. Learn and move on
Take note of what went wrong. How did it happen? How could you prevent it from happening again? By looking into how the crisis occurred, you can put preventative measures in place to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Once the crisis has been resolved, move on. If you spend time dwelling on what happened in the past it will prevent you from furthering your potential in the future.
What we are really trying to say is that you don’t have to become overwhelmed with feelings of despair. Using some of the tactics we’ve listen you’ll find a solution to your crisis in no time.
