I was addicted. I’d wake up and grab my phone. I’d read and re-read the news headlines. I’d check my email every few minutes. And I kept refreshing my Facebook feed.
I was scared and I was unconsciously pushing away all the feelings I didn’t want to feel…
Technology is good for that. Read a tweet = a dopamine hit. ‘Like’ a Facebook post = a dopamine hit. Click a link = a dopamine hit.
You feel good for an instant… And then you crave another hit… And then another…
The news was full of scary stories. And I justified my behaviors because it felt like I was doing what was needed. If only I could catch the latest headline, I would be prepared for what was coming.
I got on Amazon, ordered bottled water and hand sanitizer and dried food. I was feeling overwhelmed. But I couldn’t see it. I was trying to protect my family from the impending doom, the news outlets were feeding us, 24/7.
Does this sound familiar?
But then Monique rocked me. She said to me, “Rich. You’re obsessed. I’ve never seen you so freaked out…”
I was so angry with her. I felt myself getting super defensive. I stormed out of the room.
But as I let her words sink in, I realized how right she was.
I was freaked out.
There’s nothing wrong with stocking up on bottled water and making sure that my little boys know how to wash their hands. That makes sense.
It was the place I was coming from that was unhealthy…
My mind was spinning. And the more it spun the more I craved the illusion of security – junk food for my mind (the news), junk food for my heart (trying to protect my family by buying hand sanitizer) and junk food for my body (yep, I devoured those cookies we’d bought for the kids!)
I made myself go for a walk.
I made myself do a work out.
I cooked and ate something healthy.
And I finally began to slow down…
It dawned on me that I was craving someone to lead me. I wanted someone to guide me. I wanted someone to make me feel safe.
I was reminded of the words one of my coaches had once said to me…
No one is coming to save you
I took a deep breath and realized that I know how to cope with challenging times.
I’ve been fired. I’ve built a business during an economic collapse. I’ve coached clients who’ve lost children, had life threatening illnesses, had miscarriages and been through bankruptcy.
So, I put my attention on my community instead of my fears.
And I decided I’m going to run a Zoom call for you – and for anyone in our community who’d like to join us.
How to Lead in Challenging Times
Join me on a group Zoom call on Monday, March 16, at 10 AM Pacific. Block out 90 minutes. There’s no charge for this. We’re creating this for everyone in our community.
Register here: http://richl1.sg-host.com/leadership-webinar/
I’m going to teach 14 concepts to support you to lead (yourself and others) in challenging times:
- The importance of knowing your red flags and setting your check engine lights…
- How to be your own best client…
- Helpers high – how it works and how it can help you…
- The power of love – how to build trust and show compassion…
- Setting your compass – values-based leadership…
- Leading by receiving…
- The importance of ritual…
- Stumbling on happiness…
- WWRD?
- You’ve been here before…
- A power greater than yourself…
- Building your support team…
- The power of long-term thinking…
- Focus on your clients…
Join me. Bring a friend. I’ll teach you. And then I’ll answer as many questions as I can.
Love. Rich
P.S. Take care. Morgan Housel is an investor and author and his words on the current situation really struck me:
“‘Wash your hands’ might be the best advice at this point. But it’s too simple for some people to take seriously. The idea that complex problems can benefit from simple solutions isn’t intuitive.”