What it takes to Survive -- and Thrive

I'm not addicted to too many things, well . . . not really. But I do like to read my Newsweek magazine each week. I look forward to its arrival in my mail box and I always start at the very back page to read "The Last Word" by either Anna Quindlen or George Will. They see the world through quite different lenses, and I do like to imagine how they came to such divergent conclusions. I exercise my tolerance muscle, or lack thereof, when I disagree.

An article that caught my eye was about what it takes to survive, given the recent airline crash into the Hudson River in New York City. All the points they mention about survival also apply literally and metaphorically to the business world as well. Why do some people walk away from a plane crash or thrive after a job loss, while others seem to fold in and lose themselves?

Here's what really caught my attention since it goes hand in hand with the work I do with aligning your thoughts (and your physiology ) with what it is you really want to happen for your thriving success.

Quoted from Newsweek, February 2, 2009: excerpt from Dr. David Spain, Stanford Medical Center

After two years of research, I discovered that everyone has a crisis personality - a Survivor IQ - that they marshal in a moment of adversity: a mindset and ways of thinking about a situation. The best survivors and thrivers understand that crisis is inevitable, and they anticipate adversity. Understanding that even misfortune gets tired and needs a break, they're able to hold back, identify the right moment and then do what they need to do. Psychologists have a clunky term for this: active passiveness. It means recognizing when to stop and when to go. In a critical sense, doing something can mean doing nothing. Action can be inaction, and embracing this paradox can save your life.

I would like to add that one's deep, inner sense of safety and confidence in the world is a tremendous factor in whether a person can possess any ability to assess when it’s time to do nothing or time to take decisive action. In crisis, only a brain not flooded with panic and fear can make any discernments of clear thought. Unconscious beliefs such as “I’m not safe,” “The world is always out to get me,” “I never get a fair shake” leave one feeling vulnerable at best and absolutely paralyzed or panicky when something critical calls for the best you have.

It’s important to get to know your unconscious beliefs –- you can’t know what you’re dealing with until you get them into the light of the day. Energy Psychology methods can easily help you transform these beliefs into positive, confident ones. It can save your life.