Turning your crisis into growth

I have just written an article explaining Why a crisis can be a good thing in my Notes from the Edge newsletter.

In this article I wanted to share the principles for how you survive, thrive and ultimately realise positive growth when you have suffered an injustice at work.

When you are in this situation there is no simple linear process you can follow - every situation is unique.

However, these principles will hold true as you go through this.

Keep yourself safe

If you are still at risk this needs to be your priority. This will be specific to your situation and can range from handing in your notice (as a last resort) through to agreeing actions to resolve any conflict that has arisen.

Give yourself time to process

You will experience overwhelming emotions at times. Respect these and yourself by finding time and space to process these emotions. This may involve taking a long walk. Spending time in nature is very healing and can be as simple as gazing at the sky or deeply observing your back garden. Strong emotions need movement to allow you to work them through. Speak to your family and those who normally depend on you to explain why you may not be available as normal.

Find a trusted confidante who will LISTEN

Sharing with another person is very beneficial but only if they are able to listen attentively without needing to offer solutions. Explain that you want them to listen only and choose this person carefully!

As a trained nature coach who has direct experience I l go beyond this and help you navigate this and apply the other principles.

Be alert for the growth that emerges

At points insights will emerge. This will be unpredictable but you need to be on the lookout so you don't forget. It may be about what you need to do differently, changes you need to make in your life.

They might be ideas that come up which get you excited. These are opportunities to direct that angry energy positively.

You may get that feeling of righteousness - how to 'right' the 'wrong' that has been done to you. Be careful here. This is all about you and what will be good for you. There is a risk of staying stuck with the 'injustice' and your 'persecutors' when you need to move on and focus on what you have learnt and what you will do with this learning.

Look after yourself

It is easy to dismiss your needs. Men are discouraged from owning up to weakness. Women are encouraged to care for others first.

This is not a time to allow that conditioning. If you don't give yourself what you need, it will make this process more painful, longer lasting and you may miss the opportunity for growth.

This can be as simple as allowing yourself to lie down in the afternoon when you feel tired (you may only need 20 minutes to restore yourself).

Sometimes you will focus on 'fixing the problem' as your rational mind kicks in with a 'solution' as that is all that it knows how to do. It is often unclear what is going on and the deeper motivations so speculating on this can pointlessly prolong the pain and distract you from looking after your needs.

Are their other principles you would add?