A client has asked me to run a series of sessions called ‘Maintaining strong personal resilience when all around you appears to be chaotic.’ It’s a long title, but it does spell out the need I believe many of us have at the moment. I’ll be sharing dozens of ideas and insights on the day – here’s one of them:
Tell the negativity committee that meets inside your head to Sit Down and Shut Up, or Shut Up and Move On.
Now this doesn’t mean I believe in blind optimism – actually I think that’s quite dangerous. But if we’re to survive and thrive as people and organisations then a dose of realistic optimism is required. Pessimism is not an option, unless you want to be as relevant as a Dodo.
So two questions I’m regularly asking myself and my team are;
‘How can we influence or improve the situation?’ And ‘What can we find that’s positive in this situation?’
Your brain has an uncanny ability to help you find what you’re looking for, but it does need a helping hand. Asking such questions when dealing with challenges helps your brain to start seeking and spotting solutions, which is exactly what we require if we’re to develop strong personal resilience when all around us appears to be chaotic.
Agree?
And if you’d like a celebrity doctor and journalist’s perspective on how the SUMO message can impact people’s well-being then take a look at this short piece.
Until next time
Remember what to say to that negativity committee.
Paul
The SUMO Guy
