How to Turn Crisis Into Opportunity - Real World Strategies From Survivors Who Cheated Death

From the book "Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why" by Laurence GonzalesIts easy to imagine that wilderness survival would involve equipment, training and experience. It turns out, at the moment of truth (when a crisis hits), those might be good things to have but they aren't decisive...its not even what's in your mind. Corny as it sounds, its what's in your heart.Amen.So you may not be in "deep survival" mode right now, the way Gonzales defines it (being lost in the wilderness, adrift at sea, etc.) but the lessons he learned from his experiences are applicable to the financial meltdown we are all facing today. People are losing their jobs, their homes, their self-esteem and identity. Worse yet, the "map of the world" for many people has changed dramatically. Once familiar and supposedly stable institutions have failed us, and will continue fail as the economic crisis works its way through a broken financial system.Here's what I've discovered works best for me and for
the clients I coach who not only survive but go on to thrive amidst the chaos and uncertainty that change brings:First, people who weather the storm (job loss, divorce, death and dying) accept the fact that their world has changed; Many people who stay in victim mode far too long - try to do the same old thing over and over again. And what's the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing repeatedly but expecting a different result. You can mourn the past but don't dwell in it. Accept the change, focus on what you can control, and keep moving.Second, survivors maintain an open mind, a curiosity about what's going on n the external environment, but also what's going on inside of themselves. They don't panic, but they also don't take things too casually. They notice more. Their self-and-other awareness grows more acute. Have you ever been put in a new, stressful environment and had all your senses suddenly activate? Don't deaden that sensory acuity (by over-indulging in alco
hol, food, self-pity, or mind numbing TV shows and Internet surfing). Instead, get used to being on the edge. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable, be a little hungry, a little restless, push your mind and body work a little harder to stay focused and sharp.Third, the people who survive rely on these qualities: humility, empathy, imagination, and total commitment. These are all the emotional intelligence skills everyone possesses, but many times choose not to use, or use inconsistently. Start practicing them. Were you a big-time corporate hot-shot or a high potential on their way up? Who cares? If you aren't now, accept it. Over the last several years, have you been so focused on your own success that you've lost touch with other people, with who YOU really are? Get back in touch with your family and friends. If a relationship needs repairing, you take the first step -- don't wait for them.The place you are now may be exceptionally stressful. It is for a lot of people. D
o you want to come out of this experience the same way you went in? Or do you want to use this as an opportunity to make you stronger? More compassionate and empathic? Less anxious and more calm?If you do, be prepared to throw out some of your tried-and-true methods for managing your life. Some mental models will still work, but others won't. Relying on out-dated, ineffective models will certainly prolong your stress.Here's a simple exercise I use with my clients that you can do right now to begin re-shaping your mental map of the world.Get out a piece of paper and write down what you need to:1. KEEP doing because its good for you and others -- exercising, reading, praying and meditating, writing, giving time to your community.2. STOP doing because it does not' work any more -- it used to, but now its either not working at all and/or its creating new problems. Maybe you need to stop spending time with certain people because all you and they do is complain about how life suck
s. Maybe you need to stop certain habits of mind that drive unhealthy behaviors -- playing the victim, feeling sorry for yourself, making up stories and excuses.3 START doing -- you must commit to keeping a positive mental attitude no matter what's happened, is happening, and will happen tomorrow. Maybe you need to start taking some ownership of the situation you are in and becoming more proactive. Maybe you need to (finally) start an emotional/mental/physical fitness program and find a coach who can help you set strategy and stay accountable.Dig deep. You know you can do this -- anyone can, and many people have. Others never do, but that's not going to be you. Take yourself back to a time and a place when everything seemed possible. I don't care if you are 17 years old or 70 years young -- its never to early or too late to start over, to get back on track and begin following your personal North Star.Just promise me this: that today you will begin following your heart more t
han your head.Peace, be well, and I'm here to help.

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