Eliminating Overwhelm Part XIII: Have the Right Support Structures in Place

So the other day, my computer died. Thermal failure. I have been expecting this event for some time now.  It happened once before a few months ago and we fixed it but I knew it was only a matter of time…

With a home based business, my computer is essential. Normally, this could cause havoc and chaos; a person could become distressed and frustrated, angry even. It could upset their entire world to the point where they might have difficulty functioning. It would be overwhelming.

But it wasn’t. In fact, I sailed through the experience with very little emotional impact at all and with no impact to my business functioning. And I wondered about this…

There were four elements present that made it easy for me to deal with this potentially chaotic and stressful event.

1)    Time was on my side. I happened to be going on vacation so I did not have to use the computer that much. We were taking some days off and although I would have ability to access email from time to time, I did not have to obsess over getting it fixed immediately. This made it easier to relax about replacing the computer.

I realize that this could also work against you. If you obsess about not having a computer upon your return, it might make it difficult for you to relax while away. BUT if you choose to stay in the present moment and focus on what you CAN control rather than all of the variables that you have NO CONTROL over, then you can relax and trust that when you return, you will do what is necessary to get the new equipment you need to do your job.

2)      There were back up systems. My backups were amazing and they all worked! J I have a back up drive that I can access through my lap top – or other computer – if needed. There are other computers accessible to me where I can access email online so there were ways for me to get around having to use this computer to function.

3)      The right support person with the right skills was accessible to help me. I have an amazing support person to assist me in choosing a new computer, transferring my data, and getting it up and running. Left to my own devices, I would most definitely have been concerned that with my limited knowledge about computer systems, I would struggle to get it all together in a timely fashion. (No doubt I would have eventually figured it out but not without a lot of frustration, time, energy, and a lot of hair-pulling.) Having this resource person to assist me kept me calm and I was able to focus on managing the other areas of my life and work.

4)      The financial resources were accessible. Without the funds accessible and available, I could easily have become anxious and stressed. Having insurance, an emergency fund, or access to a line of credit helps considerably to make the transition happen without fear or worry. Not having enough money is a huge source of stress.

Having the right resources – time, proper planning including back ups and financial resources, and expert assistance – is essential for eliminating the overwhelm, anxiety, and stress that occurs when things go wrong like when equipment breaks down or someone quits suddenly (or dies). It’s never a good time to have a bad event occur. So preparation is essential.

What are some things you could do today to be more prepared for your next disaster? What are the disasters that you potentially face? What are your greatest concerns?

1)      Identify areas of concern.

2)      Create a disaster plan for preparing yourself should this occur. What will you need to have in place in order to correct things quickly and easily?

3)      Work the plan. Set up an emergency fund and start saving a little bit at a time. Create necessary back up systems. Identify experts in their field who can assist you in time of need. Identify the right people BEFORE you run into the problem so you know who to call. Looking for an expert when you are in crisis can result in making poor choices out of fear and desperation – and potentially being taken advantage of.

4)      Evaluate your plan. Test your systems. The last thing you want to discover is that your back up system failed when you needed it most. Know that it works before disaster strikes.

You get what you are prepared for. Prepare well and you can relax and breathe easy.

Your partner for success,

Coach Julie ~ Nurturing Your Success