Panic
Early in the 20th century if you watched an electrician wire a house, you would have seen that there were two wires entering the outlet box where you would eventually plug in your lamp. One wire was the “hot wire” and it brought power into the outlet. The other was the “neutral wire” and it completed the loop necessary for the outlet to maintain the power. Your power cord would have two prongs, each one connecting to one of the two wires. When you turned on your lamp the loop, or circuit would now include the wiring in your lamp and the light bulb would begin to shine! It was a great system, yet, if you happened simultaneously to touch a water pipe (already a natural “ground”)? Then you would become part of the loop and receive a dangerous shock as the power made a new loop with you as its “neutral”! In the late 1960s, Underwriters Laboratories begin to require grounded – three prong – plugs for all appliances. By the mid-1980s, all receptacles were required to be compatible with those ground plugs.
Are you wondering what this little trip down electrical history lane has to do with “panic”? Ryan Smith of Lexington KY reminds business owners, and all of us really, that the loop and power image is much like a business or even life itself. Each day your business current flows through the company and its employees. This is actually what is meant when we say that production is “humming along”. Energy flows into the system. Products, ideas, interactions “light up” and work is accomplished. The energy flow is continuous and the system continues to operate effectively.
But what if something interrupts that flow of energy through the system? Perhaps a critical piece of equipment breaks, or needed materials don’t arrive on time as promised? What if a client calls and wants to change their order, either more or less? An unhappy client calls and rants about their dissatisfaction and demanding that they receive compensation for the inconvenience they claim to have suffered. A panicked team member storms your office with this news. Now, what do you do? This, as Ryan Smith of Lexington KY says, is the time that you need to anticipate and have a plan for your response.
Choosing to react with panic of your own will exacerbate the situation, not contain it. The result of that choice may be devastating to you and your business, even to your career. The better choice is the wiser one to choose. You need to be that third wire, the ground wire, a safety put in place and intended to prevent a catastrophe. You need to be the one who grounds the system, stabilizing it so that damage is limited and there is time for solutions to be considered. In order to be the ground wire for the system, you must be able to ground yourself. The technique is a simple one and an exercise that you will need to practice so that it comes naturally when you need it.
FIRST:
Plant your feet firmly on the floor. No, not stomping. Stand up, if you need to do so, and put your body up against a wall or a doorframe. This step is to remind yourself that you are present and aware of your surroundings. Panic, ours or someone else’s, has the potential to cause us to feel unmoored, untethered to reality, almost as though we are floating or even hurling through space. The very act of firmly making contact with the “ground”, intentionally, will allow some of the initial panic to flow through you and into the ground, metaphorically speaking. The panic from others needs to stop with you, as does the panic that rises within you as you listen to the issue.
SECOND:
Look around you. Notice at least three things in the room or area where you are. This will further help to remind you that you are not lost in emotion, but are present in the moment. Make some observations about what you notice. What color is the chair? How is the clock functioning? Is the clock ornate or plain? What about your morning coffee mug? Is there still coffee in it? These observations will help you to remember where you are and keep you, once more, in the present.
THIRD:
If you have been standing, then sit down, place your hands on your legs, and close your eyes. Breathe in deeply while counting slowly to five. Fill your abdomen with air. Hold that air inside of you Focus on your breathing. Feel the air as it travels in through your nose and your abdomen expands. Pay attention to your, breathing while dismissing any other thoughts that may try to intrude. Slowly release the air you have inhaled while once more counting slowly to five. Notice your heartbeat. Is it steady and calm? Repeat the process until you can feel that steadiness and calm within you.
FOURTH:
With your eyes still closed, take yourself to a place that has pleasant memories for you. Somewhere calm and peaceful. What would you do if you were there? You may truly enjoy the big city life but that is counter-productive right now. Calm, comfortable, perhaps a place of peace and quiet joy is what you need to envision. Do not welcome any troubling thoughts to enter your mind. It’s your mind and you are in charge.
FIFTH:
When you have assurance that your body has relaxed, your breathing is steady, and your mind is calm, then open your eyes. At this point you may want to take a walk. Exercise is a terrific way to ease body and mind. Focus on the walk itself. What do you notice as you walk? What do you hear? What smells do you detect? Intentionally walking and observing is another way to ignore the challenges before you and become more “clear-headed”.
SIXTH:
If you have been wise in setting up your business, you will have a team to support you. Whether they are employees or personal connections, contact them. Your working team needs to be given the heads up that you will be meeting with them in an hour or more, whatever time you believe you will need before you gather with them. Be sure that you connect with them calmly and simply. Your personal team needs to be contacted to get advice and debrief before the next step happens. You may not be able to reach them all right at that moment, but they will be aware that you are in need of support.
SEVENTH:
Now, when you are feeling calm, in a good place, and actions are under control, take out pen and paper. Yes. Computers are fine. In situations such as this, the act of physically writing information will be helpful. According to Ryan Smith of Lexington KY, connecting what think and what you write is a good method for initiating thoughts and ideas. What to write? First, record the challenge as it has been shared with you. Next, who and what does this challenge affect? Then, who is the most likely and reasonable individual to work on each aspect of the challenge as you have outlined it? Finally, what ideas do you have for solving this challenge? Write freely, without judgment or too much deep thought. Now, sit back and do the breathing exercise again. Afterward, look at what you have written and consider how you will present this to your team. If you are alone in your business? Consider how you could proceed. Make notes of the pluses and minuses of all the ideas you have recorded.
EIGHTH:
When you meet with your team, present the challenge as clearly, directly, and calmly as possible. Be certain that they know you have confidence in their abilities to brainstorm and discuss all the potential solutions. Assign each team member tasks to carry out and set a time for meeting again. Be sure they understand the timeline involved. Finally, whether you are on your own or you have a team, when you leave your office for the day be sure you put those papers with all the information in a desk drawer. Close the drawer and head home. Fretting about these situations all night will not solve them and will impair your decision making due to lack of proper rest. Practice staying in the present, not in the “what ifs”. Do something that relaxes you. Do something that feeds your soul. Tomorrow, as it has been said, is another day.
Remember that panic solves nothing. Impulsive actions rarely create good outcomes. When you are grounded, like that third wire? You are able to ground the system, prevent serious damage, and provide an atmosphere wherein wise decisions and actions are taken, allowing all of those involved to move forward with confidence.