Learn how to turn crises into power and opportunities with resilience, adaptability, and positivity. Navigate through challenges with strength and grace.Why do some people lose all of their skills when faced with a crisis, while others are able to do certain things better than usual? What do these differences depend on?
A crisis is a situation that can make or break us, depending on how we learn to respond. If we respond correctly, it can give us strength, power, and wisdom. If we respond incorrectly, it can rob us of all our skills and abilities.
To turn crises into creative empowerment and opportunities, psychologists recommend the following techniques.
- Respond to crises in a proactive rather than defensive manner. View situations as challenges rather than threats. Embrace challenges without fear and confidently use your strengths by being proactive, goal-directed, rather than defensive or avoidant. Tell yourself, “Whatever is coming, I can handle it. I can see through it,” rather than thinking, “I hope nothing happens.”
- Keep the goal positive in mind. The essence is to stay focused on the goal, mentally rehearse the experience of overcoming the crisis to achieve the desired goal without deviating in the other direction, that is, to have the attitude of fighting instead of fear or flight. If we can do this, the crisis situation itself will act as a stimulus that releases additional power to help us achieve the goal more easily. In such cases, excitement will reinforce this determination. It will increase the courage, the strength to move forward.
- Assess situations realistically. Don’t assume that small challenges are life-threatening. If we overestimate danger or difficulty, or respond to inaccurate or distorted information, we are more likely to become overexcited than normal. If we misuse this excitement, it can do more harm than good.
- Assess the worst that can happen. When faced with the threat of misfortune, seriously and carefully consider what the worst that can happen is, rather than reacting blindly and irrationally. Looking the misfortune straight will give us a good reason to believe that in the end, no catastrophic event will occur. We will find that our anxiety will be greatly diminished, replaced by relief.
Also, if we need to learn some skills, we should practice without pressure, and we will do well when we encounter a crisis later. Pressure will make us learn less, so practicing is very important.