Crisis and adversity comes for us all, it’s a natural part of life. I like to think we experience these things to learn and grow, and indeed with this mindset you see it to be true.
Adversity is the friend of change and growth, even though it can be very painful and stressful.
The one thing to always remember is to never give up.
1. Relax & Calm Down
The first step in overcoming any and all crises & adversity is to calm down and relax. If you make decisions hastily or with clouded judgment, you will end up in a worse spot than before.
Take deep breathes. Paramedics tell patients to breathe in for 3 seconds, hold for 3 seconds, and breathe out for 3 seconds when they are having a panic attack, so try it.
This isn’t some cheap self-help bit, but to biologically calm your mind and nervous system.
When you are in crisis or panicking from adversity, your mind and body think there is an immediate threat to your life – remnants of our ancient DNA.
Our minds and bodies’ have not adapted to our modern environment, where a source of income is of bigger worry than a sabretooth tiger or bears, and so we must use our consciousness to overcome this and relax.
2. Change Your Environment
In order to calm your mind and keep it calm, you should change your environment – even if it’s just sitting in a different room to think or on your porch or balcony.
Our minds become trapped in our environment if we spend too much time in it – this is a major reason why walks are so great for stress and anxiety.
If you spend all your time in your room, it’s no wonder you feel trapped.
Go to a local park, sit outside, go for a walk, or even just lounge somewhere else in your house while you relax and think.
3. Remember What You Work For
Always. Remember. What. You. Work. For.
If you don’t have a reason to fight for, how can you expect to overcome anything?
Heroes could overcome all obstacles because if they didn’t, who else would? And if no one else did then whatever monster they were fighting would extinguish yet more lives.
The first thing to do is think and remember what you want and why you are on/set out on the path you are on right now.
The next thing to do is get a piece of paper and write it all down.
Write down why, who, what, where, and when.
Write down your perfect whatever – girlfriend/wife, job/career, house, family, etc.
You will quickly notice how your anxiety and stress disappears – your finite mindset dissipates as you put the ball back in your court and overcome the feelings of learned helplessness.
Remind yourself of your purpose and dreams and hopes enlivens you, and imbues you with the strength and resolve to overcome what you are going through.
4. Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.
You now have the mental clarity and tools at your disposal to overcome what is plaguing you.
Start thinking about how to respond to your crisis and adversity, how you can overcome it.
Brainstorm ideas on paper and write down what you already know you need to know – reminding yourself is always key, for your mind oft forgets and can play tricks on you in the moment.
Go out unto the world and spread your wings atop the mountains as is your destiny.
Never forget the tools and ideas in this article, and never be afraid to follow these as many times as you need.
Always remember that the only way is forward, and therefore there is always a way forward.
Never give up, never give in.
Apex of Men 