Survive a Crisis

THE SKY IS FALLING: Surviving a Crisis

All of us encounter crises. Whether it’s a car accident, a lost job, an injury or some other situation, it’s a time of uncertainty and concern. If we let our crises take over our lives, panic sets in. Like Chicken Little we believe the sky is falling.

We need to keep our perspective!

About ten years ago, I had a major health crisis. My doctor had recommended an immediate hysterectomy. I was really scared and because of my fear, I asked that the surgery be scheduled as quickly as possible. Then I got the flu, postponing the surgery. I’ve never been so thankful for getting the flu in my life, because it gave me time to think and put things in perspective. I ended up putting the surgery on hold, even though I was frightened. This gave me time to educate myself about this type of surgery and my options. Finally, I got a second opinion from another doctor who recommended a less invasive action, which I chose. I made this decision calmly and in control. It was the right decision to make.

There are choices in every crisis!

We have choices about how we handle the crises we face in our lives. We can react with fear that snowballs into panic or we can stop our panic by stepping back and putting it in perspective. There is almost always time to consider what you need to do in a crisis. It’s important to stop and take a deep breath. Step back from the crisis and ask yourself:

• How much time do I have before I must act?

• What are my choices?

• How can I become better informed about my choices?

• Who can help me deal with my crisis?

Asking questions and considering your options can give you back control over whatever crisis you face. You don’t have to be Chicken Little. Take a breath, check things out and make sure the sky really IS falling before you do something too quickly. A good decision is likely to follow.

Tagged as: coping with a crisis, crises, crisis, crisis-management skills