Anyone in the audience when I have given my presentation, “Radical Resilience”, knows that I believe action is the antidote for anxiety. Sitting and stewing, muttering and watching storm clouds, or pacing back and forth does nothing. When we begin to take control over even the smallest part of our life, we begin to gain a sense of forward momentum. Consider these five tips—any of which can be started in small steps and increased as time and talent permit.
(1) Pitch out what doesn’t add value. Lean is NOT mean. Start with a file drawer, a computer folder, a closet, and yes—even your contact list. Everything that we hold on to that is obsolete, not useful, out-dated takes up physical and emotional space. To let in the new, we’ve got the clear out the old. You might find—as I did—that cleaning up a data base brings “old” client to mind. We had lost touch. I reconnected and have now renewed friendships and/ or a client relationship. You might find great ideas that were not useful then but are very timely now. At the very least—the action of tossing away just lightens the load.
(2) Spend wisely. Think of everything in terms of “what will this do for my customer”. From the annals of failed businesses, Circuit City fired all their seasoned, knowledgeable employees because they were more expensive than new employees. Too bad. Without trained staff to help customers, Circuit City now was just a store with stuff. Ordinary. Common. And now out of business.
(3) Follow your values and offer value for what you give. If an action goes against what you value, in the long run the price you pay will be far too high. I am not right for every client. Accepting work for the money rather than for the match will hurt both of us. I know we all seek income now, but beware of the price you pay!
(4) Talk to your team and your customers. Better still: LISTEN. Use whatever platform brings together folks: Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, whatever. The biggest bang for the buck comes from human interaction. Don’t jump into “strategy”. First listen for how people are feeling. Support each other with ideas and yes—empathy.
(5) Sullyize your workers. OK—I made up this word but perhaps it will catch on. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger was a masterful pilot who trained, and trained, and trained again. You don’t make that kind of landing, like he did in 2009, in a two-minute timeframe without having practiced, and trained. Yet—what do too many organizations do in these times? Cut training!! If you want employees to handle crises, you’ve got to train rigorously. And you can do it virtually!
Let's talk if you and your organization need help dealing with burnout and building resiliency skills then I might be the right fit for your. Check out my Virtual Service Center and then give me a call at 949-496-8640.