The #1 Skill To Learn To Navigate A Crisis

2017: I joined Bain, and went through a tough family situation that threatened to affect my work significantly.

2018: I left the org rated in the top percentile of analysts in my cohort.

In that 1 year period, I learnt a really valuable skill that I still use till date.

Compartmentalisation.

Here's how it works for me:

During a crisis, I'll set aside "worry time", say 1 hr/day for whatever is bothering me. Apart from that 1 hour- I'm simply not allowed to think about it.

In all the other hours of my day- I have to schedule a normal routine for myself- revolving around work, goals I'm working towards, mental and physical health, etc.

If you're in a similar spot- you'll likely not feel like jolting yourself into action this way by forcibly 'compartmentalising'. That's because, I feel misery loves company- and sometimes- the company is simply sitting in a pool of thoughts that don't help you.

So- in order to get over the initial reluctance, I find that doing the 'action' you're supposed to be doing, helps you get to want to actually do it.

Don't feel like going to the gym? Just go there and do one exercise. 99% times you'll want to finish a whole workout.

Don't feel like working? Open the laptop and pick one small task. Get it done, and likely- you'll be ready to pick the next thing off your list.

Don't feel like reading the book you said you'd finish this weekend? Just pick it up, read one page and ....you get the gist.

Whatever you don't feel like doing, but think you should- just do it for a bit and you'll end up doing it all the way.

The main takeaway: Motivation follows action.

If you always rely on being motivated in the first place- that's going to be way too inconsistent to make any real impact.

Hope this helps!

Talk soon,

Shubhankar