We’re dealing with more uncertainty than most of us have ever faced before. And as the months drag on, the stress and uncertainty are taking a toll.
Fortunately, we’ve got somewhere to turn for help. The Navy SEALs undergo some of the most stressful training in the world and they can teach us a thing or two about thriving in challenging situations.
Lesson Number One:
“Embrace the suck.” OR “Embrace the circumstances.” Life throws us curveballs. Sometimes, more than one at a time. We can’t control or avoid them, but we can switch our attitude to one of acceptance and mental readiness for the challenges ahead.
Lesson Number Two:
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, move the goalposts closer. Overwhelm is a sign that you’re trying to do too much. Breaking decisions and challenges into small, manageable victories can give you a feeling of accomplishment and shift your brain out of analysis paralysis.
Lesson Number Three:
When you’re stuck in the mud, start singing. It’s another way of saying, when you feel powerless or negative, take a small action to shift into a positive mindset, and exert some control.
For example, we can’t control markets, but we can make a financial plan. We can’t cure the coronavirus, but we can mitigate our risk of infection. We can’t predict the economy, but we can triple-check our backup plans.
As a financial professional, I’m a student of psychology and human behavior as much as I am of economics and finance.
After years of working with clients, I’ve discovered that mindset and behavior have a greater impact on financial success than markets.
I love learning new ways to make better decisions under stress and uncertainty. Do you have any that you’ve learned and would like to share?