Being powerful during a crisis, pt 1

We are facing unprecedented challenges right now, requiring us to rethink our “normal” way of being. Existing plans, policies and protocols are being overhauled and scrapped, which can easily bring about feelings of uncertainty and fear.

We all have a choice right now – it all comes down to whether you go with the flow or stand up to be a powerful agent for change and help inspire those around you.

Here, I want to share the performance and leadership strategies I have used to help navigate the changing landscape of this pandemic. These five fundamental, timeless strategies can help guide us to take the right actions for the good of our teams, ourselves, our patients and the wider community.

This is the first step in regaining personal power over your situation. It is not easy; however, while you cannot change the situation, you always have a choice in how you react, or the emotion or story you assign to it.

If you can dig deep and channel the energy you’re using on the chaos and panic – and reframe it into resolve and clarity about the positive steps to take, and what you can control – this could make all the difference, to you and those around you.

Keep calm…

The first step is just pausing and halting the spiral – essentially learning how to calm your mind.

I use a series of deep breaths to recentre and bring a sense of calm to my thoughts. In a time like this, we all need to channel more calmness and courage, and halt panic and fear.

The truth is that the more stressed you are, the less smart and focused your thought patterns are – and this can have a ripple effect to your team, family and friends, and the community.

If your demeanour is assured and calm, you’ll reassure others to stay calm and help them make smarter decisions.

…and channel your focus

Secondly, it is important where you choose to channel your focus – as self-help guru Tony Robbins says: “Where focus goes, energy flows.”

If you are checking in on the news and the media every 10 minutes, and focusing solely on the negative, then that is where your focus will be. However, if you choose to focus on something else – such as learning a new skill, supporting your team, helping the community or developing solutions in your vet clinic around infection control – that is where your energy will go, leading to much more positive results.

When you look ahead, don’t look at the whole mountain in front of you – that can seem insurmountable. Break it down into smaller and smaller chunks, and look at what is possible in this moment.

Taking just one right step forward – making a telephone call, researching an idea, enrolling on a course, offering support – will give you momentum and courage to take that second step, and get you back in control.