How to stay calm in a “crisis” at work

How to stay calm in a “crisis” at work
How to stay calm in a “crisis” at work

Parent Post

How often do you

How often do you face deadlocks at work? Most “crises” at work aren’t really crises, they’re “situations” that have been blown out of proportion. They are manufactured, based on perceptions more than objective facts.

Such crises, often involving people in high places with Impulse Control issues, are by no means enjoyable but don’t really deserve to rise to the level of crises, with the attendant rise in mass anxiety implied.

Here are a few suggestions to escape the crises vortex.

Try to be the

Try to be the voice of reason

Cultivate the ability to stay calm and look for reasonable constructive solutions at anxious moments. 

You may even gain a reputation as a go-to person in such situations. And you’ll find that just staying calm makes others calmer. Even if you suck at it, just managing to give that impression will serve you well. 

If you can bring

If you can bring a more structured approach to workplace “crises,” trying to find a more rational than emotional way into the problems is a solid place to start. 

Distraction, perspective, and reason—all can be effective crisis containment tools, especially when a crisis really isn’t one.

Start by counting to

Start by counting to 100 by threes

This is just a distracting tactic. 

Get your body in hand first, and the mind will have a better chance to follow. Counting by threes will make you think about it a little and momentarily distract you from the panic, and you’ll have a better chance to think clearly.  Get control of your breathing, blood pressure, and pulse. 

Get and stay physically calm.

Look hard for perspectiveWith

Look hard for perspective

With most work crises carrying no imminent danger, it is important to search hard for perspective. 

Ask yourself – ‘What really is going on here?’ Is this situation one that should induce mass anxiety, or is it actually more of a minor problem that has been amplified by personalities? 

So if you can try to gain the perspective to see things as they are, rather than the size they’ve been magnified too, that will be a very positive first step.

Source