Face the Storm Like a Buffalo and Charge with Confidence Toward Your Challenges
Christopher D. Connors
Leadership Keynote Speaker | Emotional Intelligence & Team-Building Workshops for Fortune 1000's | Executive Coach | Event Emcee & Interviewer | Author of 3 top-selling leadership books in the ??
Sometimes, the most surprising facts are the ones that change our lives.
The next time you find yourself struggling with procrastination, fear, anxiety, self-doubt or worry, heed a lesson from one of nature's smartest animals: the buffalo.
When faced with snowstorms, thunderstorms and bad weather coming their way, buffaloes don't cower in fear. The don't try to run away or avoid the storm. Rather, they move toward it and walk directly into it with steadfast confidence and resilience.
Are you kidding me?! No.
Instead of avoiding the inevitable or trying to find a way around it, buffaloes go directly toward the storm-- together. By facing the storm, they minimize the time they spend in it. By doing this, they're able to move forward through the toughest parts of the storm faster than if they tried to avoid it or move around it.
It's certainly a metaphor for life.
Check out my top-ranked LinkedIn Learning course: Leading with Emotional Intelligence!
Facing Life's Challenges Head On
As a businessman, father, youth sports coach, husband and son, I know I've faced my share of battles in life. Losing my father, losing a job, starting over, building a business, raising a family, coaching youth sports teams. It's not easy! And frankly, I don't know if I'd want it to be easy.
Because I've grown and profited so much from finding strength and resilience in adversity.
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What gives me so much confidence is knowing that we are truly best when we face the storms in life head on instead of avoiding them, procrastinating and thinking they will go away.
When we face problems directly, just like buffaloes facing a storm, we tend to get through them faster and with more control. Dealing with the problem head-on reduces the time we spend in difficulty, even if it seems tough at first.
Have a Plan to Face the Storms
The reality is, the longer you try to avoid a problem, the more it grows, and the more you suffer. We're all going to suffer in life, but we want to focus on shortening those moments and reducing the amount of time they last.
By staying connected with ourselves, understanding and managing our emotions and also connecting with others, we're able to move forward with confidence. The challenges of life can feel less overwhelming and more manageable.
Start by building in time for reflection each day. Have a plan! Think about the ways you can best manage your emotions and assess the gravity of each situation.
When you find your mind racing or worrying about the challenge or "storm" in front of you, don't try to avoid it. Face it head on and think, What can I do to make the best of this situation. Think optimistically and know that you will always come out better for having faced adversity with strength and confidence.
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Christopher D. Connors is the author of The Champion Leader: https://amzn.to/4aIeJaw . He is also the creator of top LinkedIn Learning course, Leading with Emotional Intelligence . He's a keynote speaker, executive coach, and globally recognized expert on emotional intelligence. Christopher consults with executives and leaders at Fortune 1000 companies.
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2 周?I try to see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. It does not always work and it is a very deliberate action but I improve each time I do it
Team Manager, Financial Analyst @ Financial Sector, Banks | Master's in Economics, Banking Strategy, M&A, Cross-Border Transactions, Corporate Banking, Risk Assessment Expert
1 个月Thank you for the buffalo analogy to combat procrastination, fear, anxiety, self-doubt or worry. Buffalo do not cower in fear, run away or avoid a storm. Instead, buffalo move towards it and walk into it with unwavering confidence and fortitude. In such cases, I often think of the ostrich, which can behave aggressively towards a person if he attacks their territory. Such cases are rare, but nevertheless, this characterizes them as freedom-loving and wayward birds, despite their herd lifestyle. In case of danger, the ostrich flees. The bird, when necessary, develops a speed of up to 95 km/h exclusively for sprint and middle distances, i.e. for 10-15 minutes, after which the bird needs rest. The ostrich effect, also known as the ostrich problem,was originally coined by Galai & Sade (2003). The name comes from the common (but false) legend that ostriches bury their heads in the sand to avoid danger. An everyday example of the ostrich effect in a financial context is people avoiding checking their bank account balance after spending a lot of money. The studies below explore the ostrich effect through investors in financial markets.
Very helpful
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2 个月Christopher D. Connors Sir, - When facing challenges, think like a buffalo—charge straight into the storm instead of running away. - Embracing fear can transform it into strength; just as buffaloes use storms to their advantage, so can we. - Procrastination fades when you tackle tasks head-on, just as buffaloes confront the harshest weather. - Self-doubt diminishes when you face your worries directly, allowing growth and confidence to flourish. - Every obstacle is a chance to learn; the buffalo teaches us resilience through its boldness. - Like the buffalo, we can choose to stand strong and move forward, no matter the adversity. - Changing our perspective on challenges can turn anxiety into action, leading to personal breakthroughs. - Let’s harness the courage of the buffalo to inspire others to confront their storms too. - Together, we can foster a community of strength, where facing fears leads to shared victories. - Remember, it’s not about avoiding storms, but about charging through them with confidence.
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2 个月When I facing adversity, I allow myself a limited amount of time to sit with my feelings. Then I begin problem solving.