How to Stay Grounded in Turbulent Times

Until I travelled with my baby daughter for the first time, I used to ignore the safety briefing, which is standard procedure before every flight takes off. But once I had this most precious little being to care for, I was all ears.

“Put your oxygen mask on first, before attending to others”

When I listened to that instruction, my instinctive thought was that no way would I put myself before my baby. Then I realised that indeed, the only way I could take care of her, is to take care of myself.

In this time of disruption, uncertainty and paralysing, freakout-level fear, leaders somehow need to put their oxygen masks on first. Your team is depending on you to lead. They are seeking guidance, wisdom and hope. This is your chance to step up and demonstrate sterling leadership. Of course this is daunting for you, as you are going through the very same emotional turmoil, financial concerns, health challenges – or worse, since you have the business of the organisation and your team’s welfare in your care. If this were an emergency on a flight, and the oxygen mask had just fallen in front of you, chances are your sweaty, trembling hands would be fumbling to get it over your mouth.

But lead you must. And this requires that you remain calm. How do you do this in such turbulent times? I highly recommend the discipline of a morning ritual – your time to put on your oxygen mask, to replenish, to fortify and prepare for the challenges of the day.

There are 3 aspects to a morning ritual:

1. Mind – carefully place positive thoughts in your mind through readings, affirmations, journaling or gratitude
2. Body – get the oxygen coursing through your body with breathing, stretching, yoga, walking, running
3. Spirit – sit still, meditate, pray – nourish your soul

Here’s the catch: DO THIS BEFORE YOU CHECK YOUR TECHNOLOGY! Why? Because you want to be grounded and calm before you bring the outside world in.

Right now:

1. Design your morning ritual – decide how much time you will devote to your ritual, and commit to one activity each for mind, body and spirit;
2. Write it down and post in a conspicuous place when you awaken. If you automatically reach for your phone before getting out of bed, write your morning ritual on a post-it and place on the phone;
3. Determine what time you need to wake up to do your morning ritual.
4. Set your alarm
5. And tomorrow – JUST DO IT!
6. Repeat every day until it becomes as habitual as brushing your teeth

Now is a great time to commit to a morning ritual. You have time. Use it well. Those you lead will thank you for it.

NB: This blog is taken from my 1-hour webinar: “Staying Grounded in Turbulent Times: A Daily Practice”. Email me if you would like to have this webinar for your team.