It has been very interesting to me that people are reacting in so many different ways to this unprecedented Pandemic. I have been doing a lot of reading and listening to podcast in an effort to try to understand my reaction and those of my Family, Friends, Clients and Business Partners. With the input of such sources as Darren Hardy (Editor of SUCCESS MAGAZINE), Brian Buffini (Real Estate Trainer), Brenee Brown (Author and Speaker on Understanding Emotions), Jim Kwik (Author of Limitless) and others it has led me to be less judgmental of others during this crisis. Everyone experiences trauma differently and moves through the 4 ZONES at different speeds, if at all.
See which of these ZONES you are currently in. No judgement here as we all probably have experienced all four at different times over the past two months.
ZONE 1- FEAR: I think we all probably started here but hopefully moved past this. These are the people, however, who are still hoarding hand sanitizer and toilet paper. They watch the news all day and report to others how many deaths and infection rates. They feel that sharing the fear is their purpose and post incessantly on social media negative posts and snarky political comments placing blame and finding fault in any processes put in place. I feel that even more deadly than the virus itself is the plague of the mental health issues associated with prolonged stress, fear and anxiety. . Stay away from these active carriers or the FEAR VIRUS.
ZONE 2- LEARNING: Most of us have at least moved to ZONE 2 although even I can fall back into ZONE 1 on a bad day. It is important to know where you are on the “spectrum”. In ZONE 2 you have been able to separate the emotion from reason and rational thought. You have taken control of the things you know you can and stopped consuming what is bad for you- like TV., ignoring social distancing or eating too much junk food. You have become self-reflective and can define the emotions you feel. I am NOT sad or anxious but can get “weepy” due to lack of purpose, boredom, intense feelings of gratitude, lack of connection or loneliness. This group has ASSESSED AND ADAPTED.
ZONE 3- GROWTH: Here you recognize that there is opportunity in adversity. You are taking advantage of the situation to sharpen skills, get to projects and priorities that might otherwise been on the back burner, get ready for the comeback, or pursuing new hobbies or interests. These people are TAKING THE LONG VIEW. They will come out of this enriched and better because of it.
ZONE 4- LEADERSHIP: I see and appreciate examples of Leadership everywhere. Leadership is about recognizing and filling a need. Whether it be the obvious leadership shown by our Governors, Mayors, Researchers and Health Care Providers or the less obvious like those making and donating masks, checking in on friends, delivering meals or food to shut ins or contributing food to food banks. Also showing Leadership are industries like the Banks offering mortgage deferment, those donating food to the hospitals to those retrofitting factories to make supplies to those donating millions to research. Also to all of the first responders, grocery clerks, delivery people and so many more. This is Leadership. THE WORLD NEEDS MORE LEADERSHIP AND CARING. Leaders bring Light, Positivity, and Hope.
I am firmly in ZONE 3, occasionally slip into ZONE 1 and try my best to spend some time each day in ZONE 4. What this has taught me is to look for, be grateful for and show appreciation whenever I see Leadership and Kindness.