The minimalist files...

Don't Panic

"Don't Panic" is easy to say; but...

We all live in a world where "panic" is here, there, and everywhere. Climate Change is a reason to "panic". Banking meltdowns are surely a reason to "panic". Then there is the real threat of a nuclear conflagration to get you in the mood to "panic". Indeed if you are on social media during your day then you are being urged to "panic".

Thus we must accept, as a fact of life, that all of us will "panic".

When a "panic" attack hits us we tend to freeze. We lose our ability to think clearly. We change our habits to those that better fit with those around us [for example, we buy electric vehicles even though they do not suit our needs]. And in some instances we change our beliefs [for example, we move away from our native religions as we join the Climate Change cult].

With so much "panic" around us we must surely learn how to cope with this phenomenon. First, we must relax so that we do not mind freeze. Second, we must reject the "group think" that leads us into "panic" modes. Third, we must look for opportunities that are embedded in the crises that lead us to "panic" [remember there are always two sides to any crisis - threat and opportunity].

Let me explain this "threat-and-opportunity" conundrum. The "threat" we face is to the continuity we seek and enjoy. Meanwhile, the "opportunity" we can glean is only available to those who are comfortable with discontinuity. In bold terms, those of us who seek continuity are prone to be risk averse. Therefore taking fewer and fewer risks is commonplace as we slip into any state of panic. Alternatively, those of us who embrace discontinuity are keen to increase our risk taking. Remember, taking more risks is uncommon for most of us but it is the best way to handle most "panic" attacks.

Don't Panic is good advice. However, I believe the best way to do that is to embrace risk taking. Those who embrace risk taking, when most folks around them are becoming more and more risk averse, tend to fully embrace the opportunities embedded in a crisis. Taking risks ensures that you, or me, will be far too busy to allow "panic" to freeze us. Or something like that...

Richard