The Mindset Junkie: Taking back control in times of uncertainty

On Sunday evening, I, like so many other local small business owners made the decision to close our businesses. It's the first time since opening this business seven years ago I’ve ever had to close, but it's also the first time we have all faced these circumstances.

The decision to close down a business isn’t an easy one and I applaud all those who have made that decision, who have put their staff or clientele and the wider community before their business. It's commendable and takes courage to do so, especially if that business has no other way of creating income in the period that it has to shut.

The real leaders who are emerging right now are the people who are taking the action that's required to ensure that they do all that's possible so that our health service doesn’t suffer or be overwhelmed if things happen to worsen.

Our highest priority right now has to go to the population who are at high risk from this virus. I have an 80 year-old mother who has a lot of health issues and we, as a family, have taken the precautions required to keep her safe and we all should be doing the same for the vulnerable to ensure they feel safe in what's obviously a scary and uncertain time.

When we face a problem like we are experiencing right now it will test every single person, and there is little doubt that economically this is going to have a big impact that we might not get out of anytime soon, unless we are proactive and adapt quickly and even then it might not be easy.

This virus and downturn will create a paradigm shift for a massive part of the population, a shift in beliefs and an overall shift in our habitual way of thinking and living. It's already happening if you see how fearful people are.

If we are impacted as hard as we could be through this virus life will change as we know it. The recovery and the pain felt could linger for years so we must be prepared and come together as best we can to offer support when it's needed and solutions for growth to climb back out of it.

Possibly the most encouraging thing is seeing how others are already pulling together to help each other out. Sometimes things like this make us reconnect more. People are now spending more time with loved ones where they can, they are going out in nature more, showing more love and compassion and a whole lot more empathy towards all of us.

It's funny, when the things we think really matter all of a sudden get taken from us, we turn to the real things that have always mattered most that didn’t get the most of our attention. Our health, our wellbeing, our families and caring for each other.

It's during these times that how we think and the type of mindset we adapt will either serve us to grow and become stronger through this situation, or it can literally cripple us and that is something everyone of us can work on.

We are losing a lot of control over what is going on here and the decisions we have to make but we don’t ever have to give over control of our minds and how we think, or the belief that we can grow and prosper from all that's going on. Adopting a positive mental attitude when things are tough is the real test. Easy? No. Attainable? Of course.

My advice would be to limit what you are listening to on the news; choose carefully what you allow your mind and thoughts to be taken over by and,yes, the whole world is talking about this but we still have a choice. It is massively important for your own health and well being.

If, like me, you are working from home, read more, go walks with family, listen to more positive information, get really good sleep, keeping stress lower and your immune system stronger.

Eat healthier foods, drink plenty of water, meditate. These are all very simple tools we can all implement during an uneasy time to gain back control.

If anyone wants to reach out to me, or if you're looking for some advice, don’t hesitate to reach out I will gladly help.

Your coach,

Seamus Fox

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