Just the words alone are enough to get your heart racing and blood pressure rising: CRISIS MANAGEMENT!
I remember when I was younger, every problem was a crisis; or at least that was how it felt. Like when I was 24 years old and was purchasing my first home. I had arranged the closing to coincide with my week of vacation from the CPA firm. For some reason, the closing was to be delayed, at which point I completely lost my shit.
I had allocated the days off for painting and necessary fix up before moving in and the delay completely messed up my schedule. Looking back, it was a classic overreaction to a small thing. But I didn’t have the maturity, experience or knowledge to handle it otherwise.
There was another situation where there was strife with several members of the management team (I was out of accounting by this point) that caused me not a small amount of distress and angst.
I had tried everything I could to manage it, but it reached a head. My solution was less than elegant. I walked into a meeting with the particular members and tore them each a new asshole. I had pulled the pin on the hand grenade and tossed it into the room. I knew I was, from an issue standpoint, completely in the right; but from a crisis management and self-management point of view, I was completely wrong.
Having reached this stage of my life (66) and having dealt with my share (notice, I didn’t say ‘fair share’) of problems, challenges and difficult situations, I have a greater perspective on self-management and problem solving. That’s a good thing.
As we age, we are more likely to be dealing with crises and problems that need solving. As I learned, I can manage the challenges or they can manage me.
Can you be the witness and observer to your personal growth in self-management? Share.
