Catastrophes happen. That’s the polite way of putting it.  However, as a general contractor, you’re used to dealing with mini-catastrophes. Daily challenges are just a part of a builder’s life.

Yet, major catastrophic events do happen, sometimes affecting just you and other times whole communities. From the death of a loved one, to divorce, to accidents, to natural disasters to war, it’s guaranteed that people will experience some crazy ass stuff in their life. 

And here’s the thing... when a catastrophic event happens, most people get stuck. They can’t quite believe that what’s happening is in fact happening. Shock, disbelief, denial, anger, and depression are common behaviors. 

So the first person you need to manage in a crisis is yourself. Why? Because you’re the general contractor (at least in your own life) and the folks around you are looking to you to see how you’re playing it. If you’re freaked out, then that just adds to the chaos. Conversely, if you’re cool, calm and collected, at least by outside appearances, that influences others.

We have great examples all around us and throughout our history. Look at George Washington for instance. For 7 long years, he led groups of American colonialists against the greatest army in the world… the British. 

There were moments when the Americans were being completely beaten by the British. Yet Washington, time after time, projected an outward demeanor that expressed faith in the future and stalwartness. His troops couldn’t help but be influenced by Washington’s behavior and attitude.

If the Americans had lost, Washington would have been tried for treason by the British and most assuredly hung by the neck.  So he had to be totally committed to doing everything within his power to project an air of poise and belief in ultimate victory.  Fortunately, for Americans, Washington was the consummate leader and survivor. 

Survivor or Victim?
So in the face of catastrophic events, how do you become a survivor and not a victim?

Laurence Gonzales, author of Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies and Why, observed 12 Rules of Adventure among the survivors of mortal danger he’s studied. I’ve quoted him and modified his 12 rules for survival to pertain to a business crisis. By the way, his book Deep Survival is a great read! I highly recommend it.

1. Perceive, believe (look, see, believe).
Yep. Whatever you think you’re seeing, it is definitely happening. Better come to terms with it. 

Markets can change suddenly. You have to be able to see that. Find the humor in it. Adapt and adjust quickly. Get through the phases of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance as quick as you can. Your rationale for what made sense in the past now has to embrace what makes sense for survival.  

2. Stay calm (use humor, fear to focus).
Breathe. Control your breathing. Make use of your fear. Fear can become anger. Anger is energetic. 

Keeping calm in the face of crisis is possible. Not easy, but possible. Fear means you’re alive and that means you have options. There’s got to be a joke in what you’re doing. It might be ironic and dark humor but there is a joke in there. Humor will keep you calm.

3. Think/analyze/plan (get organized).
“Survivors quickly organize, set up routines and institute discipline.” 

So, even if those routines are small and basic, it’s simply one foot in front of the other. Listen to the rational voice that you’re hearing. In your business, when facing a crisis, perhaps it’s a daily conference call with your executive team where you can each share your observations, huddle up and plan for the evolving situation. 

4. Take correct, decisive action (be bold and cautious while carrying out tasks).
“Survivors are able to transform thought into action. They are willing to take risks to save themselves and others. They are able to break down very large jobs into small, manageable tasks.” 

Small steps, written down when possible and crossed out when accomplished, let you know that you are succeeding against the forces that face you. 

5. Celebrate your successes (take joy in completing tasks).
“Survivors take great joy from even their smallest successes.” 

You’ve always gotten ahead by getting something done. So, keep doing. And celebrate, because even in survival mode, the smallest victories can bring satisfaction.

6. Count your blessings (be grateful – you’re alive).
"This is how survivors become rescuers instead of victims. There is always someone they’re helping more than themselves, even if that someone is not present.”

Perhaps you’re doing this for your family, even if they’re not with you. Survivors look for a bigger purpose in their current situation. Gratitude is often cited as one of the healthiest attitudes you can maintain.

7. Play (sing, play mind games, recite poetry, count anything, do mathematical problems in your head).
“Since the brain and its wiring appear to be the determining factor in survival, this an argument for expanding and refining it. The more you have learned and experience of art, music, poetry, literature, philosophy, mathematics, and so on, the more resources you will have to fall back on.” 

Keeping your brain engaged can make a significant difference.  It’s why affirmations, repeating a favorite motivational quote repeatedly, can often help you through a tough time. It is why many people talk about the power of prayer.

8. See the beauty (remember: it’s a vision quest).
“Survivors are attuned to the wonder of the world. This appreciation not only relieves stress and creates strong motivation, but it allows you to take in new information more effectively."

You’re on a journey. It’s called life. It’s beautiful and tough. Yet, every human who is alive on this planet today is descended from strong, sturdy ancestors. Embrace your heritage.

9. Believe that you will succeed (develop a deep conviction that you’ll live).
All of the practices just described lead to this point: Survivors consolidate their personalities and fix their determination. Survivors admonish themselves to make no more mistakes, to be very careful, and to do their very best. They become convinced that they will prevail if they do those things.

Stay determined and focused. Believe that you will succeed.

10. Surrender (let go of your fear of dying; “put away the pain”).
Survivors manage pain well. Survivors store away the information of their reality. It could be called “resignation without giving up. It is survival by surrender.” Survivors recognize that they will probably die. But it ceases to bother them, and so they go ahead and keep working the problem at hand.

For a small business owner, it’s a realization that your business might not survive this crisis, but you as a person will. Keep working at it, solution after solution. 

11. Do whatever is necessary (be determined; have the will and the skill).
Survivors have meta-knowledge: They know their abilities and do not over- or underestimate them. They believe that anything is possible and act accordingly. They are coldly rationally about using the world, obtaining what they need, doing what they have to do.

Think outside the box. After all, who says the box has to be square? Having an inventive, creative approach gives you the freedom, initiative and courage to do whatever is necessary. 

12. Never give up (let nothing break your spirit).
There is always one more thing you can do. Survivors are not discouraged by setbacks. They accept that the environment (or the business climate or their health) is constantly changing. 

You pick yourself up and start the entire process over again, breaking it down into manageable bits. Survivors always have a clear reason for going on. They come to embrace the world in which they find themselves and see opportunity in adversity. 

You can always make one more call, take one more step. There may be another crisis, a second recession, income may go down, jobs might be lost, but you’ll keep moving toward keeping your business alive and successful.

Humans either adapt or die. Or die trying. That’s it.

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I’ve carried a print out of Gonzales’ 12 Rules of Adventure in my day timer for years. I find myself re-reading them at least twice a year. I highly recommend getting his book, Deep Survival!  It could save your life!

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Photo by Paul Earle on Unsplash