March 6, 2024
Survive And Thrive: 8 Ways To Come Out On Top Of Upheaval
"An awful virus threatens society... A loved one dies...The economy shifts... You lose your job..."
Let’s face it, upheaval happens whether you’re ready for it or not.
For some people, they crumble at the first hint of disaster. Others somehow manage to somehow still succeed even when things look the worst.
Which are you? Here are eight proven techniques to come out on top every time.
1. Survive and Thrive: Give Yourself a Break
Why are you expecting so much of yourself right now? When in crisis, recognize you’re not going to have all the answers, at least not immediately.
Take a step back and acknowledge this is hard and confusing, and cut yourself some slack. This will help you relax and start thinking.
2. Expect Fear
Understand this is scary. Upheaval is all about sudden change, and you'll find yourself floundering initially.
Fear is reasonable in this kind of situation. But it’s what you do with this fear is what counts in the end. Remember, anticipating doesn’t mean surrendering to fear, but only acknowledging it’s there.
3. Breathe
Now, before you do anything, take some deep breaths. Breathe in slowly then let it out slowly. Then take another.
First reactions usually aren’t the best ones. By taking time to breathe, you’re giving yourself a minute to figure out what to do, not to mention taking in a little added oxygen so you can think.
4. Survive and Thrive: Acceptance
OK, I get it: this wasn’t what you wanted. But rather than fight against the change caused by the crisis, try embracing it as an opportunity.
Learn from the situation and to try doing things a different way.
5. Rewrite the Narrative
Continuing from the last point: what words are you using to talk about the crisis?
Is this a ‘disaster’ or an ‘unscheduled adventure’? Look for a more positive way to redefine the situation.
6. Drop the Negativity - Be Positive!
Speaking of positive, what’s your self-talk right now? Don’t get caught up in negativity here, either.
Instead of beating yourself up, praise yourself for your courage in facing the upheaval with a positive attitude.
7. Survive and Thrive: Practice Change
Get used to the idea of doing things differently by practicing change in small and safe ways.
Adjust how you do something every day, such as changing the route you drive on the way to work.
This helps your brain to build flexibility and readies you for the extensive changes necessary to handle this crisis.
8. Know You’ve Got This!
Most important of all, remind yourself you’ve been through other disasters and survived.
You’re going to be just fine so long as you hang in there.
Conclusion
Success, even in the wake of disaster, never happens by chance. It takes intentionality to come out on top.
By learning these eight techniques, you’ll not only survive the upheaval, but you’ll become one of those people who thrive on adversity.
Survive and Thrive - A Tale From Michael Caine
“I was rehearsing a play, and there was a scene that went on before me, then I had to come in the door.
They rehearsed the scene, and one of the actors had thrown a chair at the other one.
Michael Caine (1933- ) - actor
It landed right in front of the door where I came in.
I opened the door and then rather lamely, I said to the producer who was sitting out in the stalls,
’Well, look, I can’t get in. There’s a chair in my way.’
He said, ’Well, use the difficulty.’
So I said ‘What do you mean, use the difficulty?’
He said ‘Well, if it’s a drama, pick it up and smash it. If it’s a comedy, fall over it.’
This was a line for me for life:
"Always use the difficulty.”