Coronavirus Pandemic Tool Box
The stress of extreme unpredictability affects us whether we are preparing for negotiation or responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic. This stress creates overwhelming anxiety and panic for most people. For the CORONAVIRUS, everyone is self-isolating and doing everything they can to get information on what to do and how to get through it with their health intact. Just like in a negotiation, people don’t have complete control of what happens to them and those around them, which adds to the panic they feel.
An emotional toll of panic and anxiety takes over otherwise rational people and they begin to stockpile and hoard household suppliers and food in an attempt to prepare for the unknown. From toilet paper to hand sanitizer, these things fly off the shelves in the stores faster than they can be restocked.
NegotiateLife is here to make your life easier. The tools used to calm yourself down for the stress of negotiation are the same tools that you can use to de-stress and calm yourself in cases of panic due to the global pandemic.
Before taking any action, whether in a negotiation or pandemic panic, stop for just a few moments and think:
Would it help?
I remember the scene in the movie, Bridge of Spies, where Tom Hanks’ character asks the Russian spy if he ever worries, to which the spy responds “Would it help?”.
Do you ever worry? Would it help?
This could be a helpful approach to use towards potential negotiations and the ambiguity of a global pandemic.
If only it was that easy, eh?
In reality, it’s not as simple to just turn off your emotions. But luckily, NegotiateLife is here to help you manage your emotions with a few simple and easy tips and tools.
- Pause
- Stop to assess what’s really happening. Consciously survey your situation and set your understanding to exactly what’s going on.
- For example, is someone asking you to do or not to do something?Nothing will happen for the few short moments that you need to gather your thoughts and reflect calmly on the situation
- Gather facts.
- Gather all available information
- Separate facts from fantasy. Check and double-check all known sources for the facts that you’ve listed.
- Brainstorm
- Think of all the actions you can take to get you closer to the goals you want to achieve. List them on a piece of paper. Organize them from easiest with most impact to hardest with least impact.
- Take Action
- Do those things from your list on #3 above that have the least cost and highest impact first.
- Go through the list and take action until you feel less stressed and more in control.
- Breathe
- Take a deep breath, hold for a count of 4, then release slowly – do this at least 4 times.
- Do some deep breathing exercises to calm your mind and give you clarity of thought so that you may take positive action to protect yourself.
No one is above emotional panic. Whether it is due to a reaction of an upcoming negotiation or the ambiguity of a global pandemic and what it means to you and your family. Remember to ask whether the anxiety is serving your needs at the moment, and if not, try the techniques above to calm yourself into action.
Wishing you much health and happiness in getting through this unprecedented time,
Irina