Help Me I’m Drowning!

What a crazy time we are experiencing in business right now!

It is not just change that is happening, but a complete SHIFT in the resources we have available to us, the way we now have to operate, the expectations of people around us etc, etc.

As you would appreciate my role involves working with, and speaking to, literally hundreds of people and businesses every month and I don’t think that I have seen in all my years of business, such a depressed marketplace, with so much uncertainty.

People are telling me that they are making decisions that they are not really ready to make, while others tell me that they are beginning to feel obsolete, not really knowing where they fit, or for how long they can continue to operate the way they are.

Whatever the response, many people are feeling vulnerable right now and feel like they are sinking.

If ever there was a time for leaders to shine it is right now!

But how can they do that when they are struggling themselves?

So, here are a few of my tips to shine in these very challenging times:

1. Talk about it. Don’t bottle it up. You will be surprised how many others are feeling the same way. Get a coach or a mentor.
2. Tackle things one by one. Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to fix everything at the same time.
3. Take a mental break and do something that you know will break the cycle and bring you joy. Indulge yourself – without guilt!
4. Personally, celebrate your achievements, no matter how insignificant you think they are.
5. Stop and think before you let those negative words come out of your mouth, because once they are out, it is too late.
6. Remember times when you were thriving and remind yourself of the things that you did then; if appropriate – relaunch them.
7. Remind yourself that you are in your role for a reason and bring that reason back to life – it is totally within your control to do so.
8. Above all, be happy. If you don’t see any way that what you do will ever make you happy, then get out and find something that does.

I know all of these things sound so simple, but if we lose the ability to Flip our Thinking, then we are in for a painful ride.

So, take a moment right now to reflect on what is good in your life and then choose one thing from the list above to work on over the next week.

We are so privileged to be able to do what we do, so let’s take back the controls and remember that the best lessons in life are learnt through struggle.

Des Penny - Co-CEO
Proteus Leadership