We all know the feeling. Sometimes it creeps up on us and we didn’t see it coming. Sometimes it hits us fast and furious. We are confused. We are afraid. We are blindsided. We are running out of time. Our nerves ramp up. We are overwhelmed. Our brains explode. Our thoughts are whirling. And we can’t decide what to do. The more we try to force it, the worse it gets…..we are panicking.
Panic causes us not to think. We can not problem solve. We can not make decisions. We can not come up with solutions. We can not get it done. We can not move forward. We are paralyzed from action. It is an absolutely overwhelming feeling. For some, the panic is all too real and the inevitable panic attack follows. For others, it simply is the way they respond under stress.
We have all seen this potential in ourselves and in how others react. But there is hope for this natural response. That hope lies in developing a motto for all time.
The motto is “We Never Panic!”. And then, instead of panicking, simply STOP. Stop the talking and stop moving. Stop in the moment and be still. Then BREATHE. Breathe deeply and breathe slowly. Breathe in the moment. Then THINK. Think of the way forward and think of what needs to be done first. Think in the moment.
And then….then something will become made known to you. In that moment of stillness, in that moment of calm, in that moment of clarity, what you are supposed to do in that moment to move forward will come to you. And then? ACT! Do it! With no panic, with no more fear, with no more uncertainty…ACT!
Today, my encouragement for you is to realize the effect that panic has on you. And then embrace a new motto. We never panic! Today, stop, breathe, think, and act!