Ask Yourself These Questions When Navigating a Crisis
By Jennifer R. Farmer
If you are navigating a crisis, you may be inundated with advice from your colleagues, family and friends. But not all advice is created equal. So how does one evaluate which feedback to accept and decline. Here are three filters (and a bonus for good measure) you may use to evaluate the advice you receive, especially in a crisis:
Are you being motivated by fear?
When we are afraid, our nervous systems are activated and it becomes harder to make rational decisions. If the advice triggers fear, tread carefully. Try to unpack why you are afraid and assess what will happen if your worst-case scenario manifests, and more importantly, how’ll you’ll pivot and respond.
Will the advice benefit your current and future self?
There are things that feel good in the moment but will harm your future self. When evaluating feedback, maintain a long-range view of where you’re going and more importantly, how you’ll get there. All advice should be filtered from the lens of ‘will this help me in the long run?’
Are you being encouraged to act quickly?
If you are being encouraged or rushed to make a snap decision, be careful. You should have time to process all advice, and think about where you want to go and why. You should have time to consult your team. You should have time to sit with a decision. Very few things need to be decided in an hour or two, let alone a day or two. Slow the process in order to play out different scenarios and discern what to do. Do you want to know more?
BONUS: Does the advice resonate as true for you?
We should always check in with ourselves to determine our own sense of knowing. Sometimes we know what to do, but we mute or discount our perspective. Don’t accept anyone’s advice without asking yourself (and waiting for an answer) how you feel on the inside.
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Why is this important? Your reputation is like currency; you must manage it wisely. Your peace is invaluable. You must safeguard it. You may not always get a do-over, and that is why it is essential to strive to make good decisions today and always.