Crisis, a term we’ve become very familiar with these days. Reading an article from Chief Executive.net this week opened my eyes to a headline that read, “9 Ways Smart Leaders Never Waste a Crisis”.
Yes, the word “crisis” can bring up thoughts of chaos and despair. Might it be possible to find a silver lining from crisis? As I’ve learned from the Japanese method of repairing broken pottery called Kintsugi, yes!
Kintsugi roughly translated is taking the broken pieces of pottery and gluing them back together with a special tree sap lacquer dusted with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Kintsugi often makes the repaired piece even more beautiful than the original, revitalizing it with a new look and making it stronger than before.
Making Lemonade From Lemons
Like Kintsugi, a crisis can be an opportunity for us to revitalize. When something is broken, it can be the right time to assess its original purpose and determine under the current circumstances ways to strengthen its structure to serve today’s purpose.
We learn areas of weakness during and after a crisis. Let me share a personal example.
I went to college out of state at the age of 17. After Christmas break my freshman year (I was now 18), I came down with strep throat and went to the Health Clinic.
On my chart, I had marked an allergy to penicillin. This was missed by the staff and I was given penicillin. I woke up in an ice bath with a 105 fever.
When I asked if anyone had called my parents, “no” was the answer, because I was of legal age and hadn’t given consent forms. I had no idea, my parents had no idea. This was a life lesson for me and share now when working with young adults and/or their parents.
FYI, I’m hosting live interactive webinars on Tuesdays at 4:30p Pacific Time called 5 Tips for Parents Before Kids Leave Home, through Tuesday June 14th. Join me! Register here: https://bit.ly/BeforeKidsLeaveHome.
Eye Opener
Even in times free of crisis, people and organizations that do well are those that anticipate unmet needs and rise to satisfy them sooner. Crisis times provide an opportunity to address new and emerging needs while reducing fears and anxiety.
The years working amidst crisis shaped me. The fire was lit for me to close the gap between those who have and have not crafted contingency plans.
As a volunteer emergency team responder during my years in aviation I knew the pain, fear and uncertainty that families and companies faced immediately after loved ones were involved in a crash. Compassion guides me to educate people to reduce their risk, now while living.
What’s Your Plan?
Have you crafted up a plan for you, your loved ones and even your work? If you have yet to make plans let’s address that need and reduce fear and anxiety.
Plans can play a vital role in the decisions you make in life today and moving forward. Business and personal continuity, contingency, and step-in planning is the core of what I do.
Reach out anytime by email: Lynn@thelivingplanner.com. Depending on your life stage, check out all my online offerings, resources, and information focused on the interconnected aspects of life: https://bit.ly/LPCourses And feel free to send me your feedback about ways to make this easier for you anytime!
🐾Pets are family too! 🐾 Check out my Furrever Loved Opt-in Page: https://bit.ly/FLovedDentalHealth 🐾
May you have a spring in your step –Lynn
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