We are half way through a year, like we have never had before. Time to check our approach for the remaining half.  Is your glass half full or half empty? Check your perception and see if it is time to get a smaller glass? Control your life with what you can do, what you must and recognize your gifts, you can give to the world to fill our personal glass.

A definition of crisis is “a difficult or dangerous time in which an immediate solution is needed”. Crisis has been written more, spoken more and read more than any year in memory. 

Perception is “the state of being or process of becoming aware of something through our senses.” Our perception is 100% accurate to US.  However, our perception of a crisis can be similar to our glass half empty or full concept. If we feel are always running on ½ empty, look for a smaller glass.  A smaller glass my be appropriate way to handle our perception of this year of crisis. The following approach is a guideline to handle a crisis.  See if your perception of what you CAN DO to fill your glass is enough.

Steps to handling crisis:

Assess. First, take a step back; take a few deep breaths; whatever it takes to restore your calm, so you can think clearly.  Best to STOP the media overload. Fill the glass with a plan and recognition of what is good in your life. See if a smaller glass is what is best for you to be able to control or change your perception of your life just for now.

Engage. Engage all your key persons. Involve your key insiders, so those with a vested interest won’t feel like they were kept out of the loop.  Be open to all with your concerns.  Fill your glass by seeking solutions from those you trust.

Plan. Once you have a clear picture of what maybe a worst-case scenario, plan. You know, if you do get sick what are your plans? Pre-planning enables you to act quickly, confidently, and effectively when the time comes to act. Living a healthy life is 75% preparation and 25% implementation. Make your plan with that in mind.

Act. Take a step back and see if you are being proactive, not reactive–obvious in theory but difficult in practice.  Are you keeping up with your medications, doing what exercise you are able, eating correctly and getting sleep, as well as connecting with others daily? Objective planning leads to a calm and confident approach.

Communicate. Communicate transparently and honestly. Perception is everything. Staying in touch with others is most important. A call to check on a friend “How are you doing” will benefit both parties.

So, your glass may not be ½ empty, it may be your, perception that is faulty. In this time of crisis, we need to step up our recognition of our perception of our daily lives. Fill your glass each day, with your “CAN DO’S” or reset your perception to a smaller glass to overfill!