Personal Development during the Credit Crunch
Utilising Internal Resources to Overcome Challenges
The present financial crisis has presented many challenges for millions across the globe and the end to all the doom and gloom still seems to be a long way. There seems to be no easing of media coverage with a constant barrage of negative information everyday. Whilst China reports positive growth, the West on the other still seems to be reeling from the after shock of the financial tsunami in 2009 otherwise known as the “credit crunch”.
The world has witnessed catastrophic global social upheaval which has led to unprecedented lifetime events such as the collapse of banks, the increasing turmoil in the global financial markets which has led many to believe the end of an era and the dawn of another. All of this has meant that the rules of the game have changed forever with the old rule book going out of the window and new rules are being written.
Embracing Change
It can be challenging to remain upbeat and positive during such testing times; make no mistake, it is so easy to be enveloped with this air of negativity which can be like a domino effect - one incident triggering off a multitude of emotions ranging from anxiety, confusion, uncertainty, and limiting beliefs!
Despite all this doom and gloom, it is worth highlighting that despite resistance to change, human beings are both versatile and adaptable. Change may bring about a whole host of emotions, with many people tempted to reminisce about the “good old times” but change will also present invaluable opportunities for those seeking it.
During times of crises or upheaval, it is human nature to flight or fight and this is when instinct automatically kicks. People are presented with a number of choices – to stay and “face the music” (fight) or to “run for cover” (flight). It’s not rocket science, but the latter option presents the least personal development and the former the greatest.
No doubt, it is a lot more challenging to deal with change for the one who remains hidden behind layers of resistance and it is ok to initially feel uncomfortable, which change brings, because human beings are human after all! However, for those who regularly see change as something to be feared will experience limited personal growth in the long term. The aim is to ensure a healthy perspective is maintained when dealing with change especially during these challenging times.
Seeking Opportunities amidst the Doom and Gloom
For those seeking personal or business growth, “crunch time” is as good a time as any for such opportunities. Why? It is during challenging times that people start to dig deeper into their internal tool box to find tools to helps deal with their reality; the greater the challenge, the deeper they are likely to dig into their internal resources. Not surprisingly, many people may even find themselves tapping into internal resources and skills which may have been lying dormant, and what a find that would be!
Once people start to delve into their internal tool box more often to help them deal with their external reality, they will notice their authentic self make frequent and welcomed appearance. By being authentic, people are vulnerable, anxious and full of both fear and hope, because this is the self which will embrace change more willingly and seek opportunities.
Interestingly, Luxury group Brioni’s CEO stated in a recent Fortune Magazine interview, that his grandfather use to say “Particularly in moments of crisis, men like to dress elegantly”. This statement is relevant to millions even today because by being their true selves, people too are “dressing ourselves elegantly” when they show up at their authentic best. George Bernard Shaw builds on the above with the following quote:
"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people, who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them make them." George Bernard Shaw
The following questions may serve many as a reminder of the number of opportunities which may be available to during crunch times
1. Think of worst case scenarios which may impact progress professionally and personally.
2. What needs to happen to ensure the worse case scenario doesn’t become a reality?
3. What else, could be done to take advantage of the situation which has prevailed?
4. How can time be better spent other than focussing on actions/outcomes which may never materialise?
Ultimately the deeper people are prepared to dig into their personal and internal resource centre the greater likelihood of getting through crunch time and remaining afloat. Readers may also be interested in reading a further article on healthy financial self esteem http://self-awareness.suite101.com/article.cfm/healthy_financial_self_esteem
References
Financial Times, www.ft.com
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