Manage Your Crisis - Six Skills to Successfully Survive a Crisis

Crisis management took on a whole new meaning with the television program "I Survived." It was about people who made it through a life or death crisis like falling off a mountain, getting lost in the desert, or being caught in an avalanche. My favorite part of the program was when they interviewed the survivors. It amazed me that they were just ordinary people, like you or me, who were confronted with a serious crisis and figured out how to manage it.

So, how did they survive? What skills did they possess that enabled them to find their way out of the crisis? And are these skills something you could use to solve your own crisis, even if it's not a life or death situation? I believe the answer is a definite yes!

I've identified six key skills the survivors used in their life or death crises. These skills are appropriate for almost any type of crisis you might face.

Remain calm. It's essential to stay calm during a crisis. Of course, the very nature of a crisis makes this difficult to do. However it is important to stay calm and not panic. When you panic, it's hard to think clearly about what's happened and what you need to do. On the other hand, remaining calm allows you to consider your options before you make decisions, even if decisions need to made quickly.

Be persistent. Surviving a crisis means you need to keep moving forward. Be willing to tackle each obstacle in your way, one at a time. The idea is crawl if you can't walk and walk if you can't run, but whatever you do, keep moving and do not give up. Even when you can't see it, chances are you are making progress.

Use what's available. It's important to use anything and everything that might help you. Look around and consider what's available to you and how you can use it. For example, supportive people, places in your community offering help, or advice from others who survived a similar crisis. If you take the time to use existing resources, you can get out of your crisis faster.

Be flexible. You may encounter unexpected roadblocks as you move through your crisis. If this happens, and it is likely, remember: Stop, be creative, get comfortable with the new circumstances and decide what you need to do next. Flexibility keeps you on your toes so that you are always ready to move around any roadblocks that get in your way.

Stay positive. This is sometimes the toughest thing to do in a crisis. You have to keep believing there really is a light at the end of tunnel and you will get there. Think about what's helped you in the past to deal with tough situations and use whatever works to keep you hopeful. For example, consider affirmations , prayers, humor, a vision of what it will be like when you get there, and the support from family and friends.

Be patient. A crisis can feel like you're walking through an area filled with land mines. While the tendency is to run, this makes you more likely to step on a mine. However, by moving slowly and carefully, you can dodge them. So, keep your focus on where you're going and be patient as this increases your odds that you will make it through.

Very few of us go through life without encountering crises. Whether your crisis is big or small, you have a choice about how you handle it. While panic is a choice, the better option is to take a deep breath and remember the six skills. Using them will help you manage your crisis more effectively. Once the crisis is over, you'll be back on solid ground. Just like the people on "I Survived," you will be a resilient and relieved survivor!