With the news of the lockdown this week, it’s natural to feel uncertain.

When we went into lockdown back in March, lockdown meant complete lockdown. It was a worrying time and whilst it was all new to us, it was clear what we all needed to do.

This time, it feels different. Rules have been open to interpretation and we’re still waiting for final guidance on many things. This makes us all feel very uncertain and right now our natural primal instincts are kicking in.

Whilst technology around has evolved, we as humans haven’t, and there’s three key reactions to any situation that instinctively kick in to help us survive – FIGHT, FLIGHT or FREEZE.

As we face more uncertainty over the coming weeks, months, you have three options:

#1: FREEZE

You do nothing. You don’t make yourself obvious or approachable. You stay still and hope for the ‘predator’, the bad news, to disappear.

In any downturn, in any economy, those organisations that emerge stronger are those that think differently. They don’t waste time on those areas they can’t control, instead they work out what they can do, and do it.

If you freeze, you’re simply letting everyone else around you adapt and evolve. And when you finally emerge from the crisis, you’re left behind, with a wide gap between you and the rest of the market.

Freezing is a survival instinct, but right now isn’t about survival, it’s about thinking differently and moving forward. This is why Freezing isn’t a viable option.

#2: FLIGHT

Some people right now will be wanting to escape the overwhelming threat of this situation, it’s a human instinct to run, hide or find higher ground. We’ve seen this already where business owners take off, but in completely the opposite direction.

It’s paramount that you keep moving, and it’s likely you’ll have to change your journey, but you have to make sure you’re heading towards your target destination. This is why FLIGHT isn’t an option right now, because all you’ll be doing is running further and further away from your end goal, and chances are you’ll be getting trampled with everyone else along the way.

#3: FIGHT

This is the BEST option for you right now. But it’s the hardest.

By now, most people will have let the Freeze or Flight urge take over. You cannot afford to follow the crowd because you have a massive opportunity to fight.

And if you believe you have the power to fight, your mind and body will prepare you for battle.

Your leadership is more important than ever.  You need to think differently and find those green shoots. You need to know your end destination and be determined to get there no matter what. You need to get your team onboard and talk to your customers to show them you understand and are taking control for them.

Only by FIGHTING will you emerge stronger.

As I say, this is the hardest option and never be afraid to ask for help, we’re all human and it’s what we’re here for.

If you’ve not already done so, head on over to our Private Facebook Group where you can hang out with business owners who are feeling exactly the same as you right now, and chances are someone has experienced a similar challenge to what you’re facing and can help.

Please don’t be a stranger and let’s all choose to fight this head on.

BW,

Martin

Martin Norbury

Investor | Business Mentor at Advocate | Author of I don’t work Fridays

Image by Iván Tamás from Pixabay