Storms may bring raging seas, torrential rains and mud slides, tree tumbling winds, piercing lightning and blinding sleet. All life, including us humans, must develop solutions to weather storms, created by Mother Nature or our man-made disasters – both physical as well as fiscal. Leaves turn their underside upward, protecting the delicate sun-catching layer. The primary instinct of most animals is to seek shelter and find natural refuge in a tree cavity, a burrow, under rocks or in dense foliage. Some, unable to find shelter, turn their backs to the wind and wait for the storm to move on. Cats seek dark spaces, and dogs often perceive the oncoming inclement weather and get agitated, bark more, and at times, cling to their people. There is much we can learn from these instincts.
Life isn’t always full of sunny days. When it rains, it pours, but strong minds can weather any storm. Today, we have storms that engulf our homes, threaten our stability, and at times, our lives. And then there are the current storms that create the unwanted effects at work, that bring stress and grief to the home and family.
But it is the strong minds that, through awareness, training, or native instinct, find solutions that address the challenges, protect the group, and weather the storm. And sometimes emerge even stronger and more resilient.
And in these storm-like business conditions, strong minds are more important than ever. Here are some tips I have found helpful in turbulent times.
- Batten down the hatches: Only do the actions that get the results needed, don’t waste time or effort on things that don’t get results.
- Focus, focus, focus: Stay focused on strong operations, teams and the relationships with your customers. Keep those strong and functioning well.
- Review and refresh your goals: Ensure alignment and focus with those that are needed on an immediate basis to weather the storm, reprioritizing those that are not needed until the storm passes.
- Come together: Work as a team watching for those less able or scared by the threats, come together with your team, industry and community. We are truly stronger together and can learn so much from others as we navigate the need to adapt to new challenges and threats.
- Connect: Check in with current and past clients, friends, allies, and industry groups with new ideas and share your storm solutions and learn from theirs.
- Onward: And sail forth as a company that supports the growth of your ethical goals , knowing you are making a difference. Don’t lose sight of the future in the midst of the storm.
The greater the difficulty the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests. – Epictetus
These are challenging times for many. Never stop promoting. Never stop communicating. These are the true lifelines for surviving these tempestuous times. We are always here to help.
Gillian