Earlier last month, we were riveted by the story of high-school students who had the unexpected experience of a lifetime: stranded in lifeboats for nearly two days as their ship-classroom sank in the Atlantic. We are more than grateful for their rescue and wish them well as they recover from the ordeal and reunite with their families.
 All of us encounter times when we feel that life has thrown us "out of the boat". It may be a financial disaster, a serious illness, the loss of someone close to us, or simply the stunning realization that our lifespan is limited. Often, we're tested by more than one of these events occurring at the same time.
Our experience is a severe wake-up/shake-up, sometimes followed by a strange combination of confusion and clarity. Here are 3 "lifeline" actions that can help us regain our footing:
- Slow down to speed up.
If life events create a new sense of urgency, first reduce your speed and carefully take stock of the road you're on.
- Move away to get closer.
Whenever you put distance between yourself and your daily habits, you're reminded there's a well-functioning world beyond the one you obsess about every day.
- Let go to grab on.
Might it be time to admit that you are hanging on to parts of your life out of habit alone? Would a great deal of effort put into trying to recover or replicate what's "lost" simply return you to an old, familiar trap? Warning: a change may be great for you, but the transition may be tough. As a friend put it recently, one door closes, another opens; meanwhile, there's "hell in the hallway".
Each of the above actions involves practicing something that most of us are not that good at: first, waiting patiently and, second, recognizing that we can't always be in control. The shipwrecked students and their teachers did all that they could, but then had to wait…and experience being at the mercy of nature.
After trauma, our injuries heal, we resume speed and grab onto our lives again. As we strive to regain equilibrium, we can ask ourselves a couple of questions. The words below are courtesy of the late Thomas Leonard, teacher and founder of Coachville.
"What is so important to me that I want it for the rest of my life? What have I had enough of in my lifetime that I'm ready to move on from…for the rest of my life? The answers: your "Instant Life Plan."
At some point, disasters visit each of our lives. They can leave us embittered, or launch us upon a new and better path. Bitter or better, the choice is ours.
© Mara Osis, 2010
Mara Osis, Principal of Amati Business Group, helps owners of small businesses get the most return from their businesses, both financially and personally. With solid background, experience, and proven processes gained from working with hundreds of small businesses, Mara and her team help you BE better, DO better, and "make your ideal real". For more details, visit www.amatibusinessgroup.com , subscribe to the free Amati e-newsletter, and start improving both your "inner" and "outer" game. |
