Who isn’t stressed with the effects of COVAD19 first from the perspective of the health of their loved ones closely followed by economic uncertainty and fear for their jobs. What should we do to help our families/friends and colleagues/clients?

What We Can Do? Professionally

Forwards – There’s only one way we can go. It’s good to remind people of this fact, while struggling to cope with real life pressures isn’t easy, the sooner we focus on the future the faster we move individually and collectively forward.

One For All – We will get through this through collective support and effort. Communicating this is comforting to those that are feeling the stress, who are feeling the pressures of the world are upon them.

Communicate Empathetically – Uncertainty is the enemy of business. Before anything else, others need to know that you understand their situation. Don’t assume you know what it is. Hear people out. Often they simply want to express themselves. Hear them and you are better equipped to communicate effectively.

Positive Mindset – Much easier said than done but to get the best from those around us, we can play are part in giving ‘belief’ that things will work out. By projecting a narrative away from ‘uncertainty’ to one of possibility and potential, we influence the defensive mentality of clients.

Create Opportunity – In every situation your reaction drives you toward a potential positive or negative outcome. Externally there’s much you can’t control but by talking opportunity or potential even with clients in a defensive mindset, you increase the chances if not of an expansive client mindset then of one that is relatively less negative, one prepared therefore prepared to cut budgets less?

What We Can Do Personally? (How best to escape constant pressure and to buoy our mental health)

Find Peace away from the Bad News or/ switch off.’ For many this is not hard but for a decent number this is very hard. Two ‘safe’ areas I’d suggest.

Gratitude – After extensive travel in Africa and India, I’m aware that we have huge amounts to be grateful for.  You might not want to hear this and are simply concerned for your family’s well-being to which I say, focus on how fortunate you are to have a family you love so much, many don’t. Focus on the things that are amazing in your life, such as being healthy, having food to eat or that you have an inquisitive, ‘problem solving’ mind! We all tend to take most things for granted; The state of being grateful, prevents you focusing on what you don’t have. Being grateful is ‘mentally,’ a very safe place to be.

Giving – Helping others – (Not talking about it, doing it.) So your hands are full, I understand but when you are completely focused on helping others, your own children or strangers, when you are completely ‘in the moment’ of helping, you are in a ‘safe’ area, as far from worrying about what ‘might not be’ you are creating ‘what is’ for someone else.

Connect with Others – Talk with others, show them you care, that they are not alone and in so doing, you help and are helped.

For links on some of the themes from above – Bit.ly/2xiLLRG

Who isn’t stressed with the effects of COVID-19 from both the perspective of health and job security. I’m no ‘crisis’ expert but when times are tough, I tend to default to the following.

Professionally – Key actions with clients

One-For-All – Communicating that together we will get through this challenge. This ‘needs’ to be communicated through words and better still, words and ‘actions.’

Empathetic Communication – Uncertainty is the enemy of business that said, in the midst of this crisis, I don’t assume I know what someone else’s situation is. I try to listen carefully and communicate an understanding of what I’ve heard and then work form there.

Positive Mindset – My aim is to project a narrative away from uncertainty and toward one of potential and in so doing, perhaps mitigate the defensive mindset clients might have.

Create Opportunity – There’s much I can’t control but, I can control how I show up! Talking ideas/opportunity is the way to help a client orient away from challenges/threats.

Personally – Mitigating pressure/buoy mental health)

Two areas I take refuge from stress:

Gratitude – When I’m focused on what I have versus what I don’t, I’m not in a negative frame of mind.

Giving – When I’m helping others, (or trying to!) again I’m not thinking about my situation, I’m focused on others. At the same time when much seems beyond my control, giving is something that not only helps others but it empowers me; I’m in control and making a difference.

I’m here for any of you. Very best wishes, S

Articles and commentary that might be of interest…

• Empathetic communication tips
• Creating opportunity/Being proactive
• Positive thinking
• The power of gratitude
• Helping others