In Simon Winchester’s great book on the San Francisco Earthquake, A Crack In the Edge of the Earth, he tells of a shop keeper who had run into the street in the early morning of April 18, 1906 when the earthquake had hit. Upon entering the street the shop keeper and a nearby policeman witnessed a herd of long-horn cattle, set free and rattled during the quake, charging down the street toward the policeman and shopkeeper. The policeman pulled out his gun to begin to shoot some of the charging cattle, but the shopkeeper, as documented by the direct interviews after the event, was apparently frozen in place. He stood absolutely still, even though he had time to reach the door of his shop, and was tragically gored and killed.
When people fear something, they often flee, running away as fast as they can. But more often than we realize, in life, business and non-profit organizations, fear freezes people in place, creating an immobility that paralyzes progress and stunts the groups ability to effectively respond to the challenge.
Here are a few other Un-Healthy Ways We Cope with Fear:
1. Avoidance. Don’t deal with it, don’t talk about it, pretend it will go away. Instead of avoiding personal or organizational challenges, talk about what you’re feeling.
2. Blow it Up. Fear, even fear that has some logical basis in the beginning, can quickly become irrational when we blow it up in our minds to be bigger and more menacing. Don’t meditate on the negative, instead shrink your problems down into bit sizes pieces that you can chew on.
3. Panic. When a person or organization is under financial stress, pressure, and facing difficulties, panic can set in. Panic is any activity that further confuses or complicates an already difficult situation. Instead, develop a team-based approach to problems that is focused on solutions. This will help you from getting isolated in your worry and concerns and making problems worse.
So many organizations, programs, people are under stress and dealing with fear. You can rise the occasion and make strong, healthy choices that will make the future brighter, but not if you are paralyzed by fear.
What are more healthy ways to respond to fear? I’d love to hear your ideas.
David Curry
