From Survival to Thriving
by Alfonsina Betancourt
It is challenging to thrive when multiple obstacles hit us, and life feels like a constant Whac-a-mole game. However, those periods that force us into survival mode are not a waste of time - as long as we decide to take advantage of it.
The last couple of years has forced many of us to deal with unforeseeable circumstances that have veered our paths from growth to survival. But, in those moments where we have no other choice but to surrender, we find the great gifts that come with challenging times. How we face each wave determines the growth that we can enjoy after the storm.
These are some steps we can take to get us ready to thrive after being stuck in survival mode:
1. Set up the Stage:
Even when you can’t actively execute plans, spend time dreaming, making contacts, clearing up the space. The small, silent steps you take today will multiply in the future. Planting the seed is as important as reaping the fruits.
2. Focus on the lessons:
What are you getting out of this? Don’t make difficult times pass by without making you wiser. What do we envision our lives to be? Could we have done something different to avoid the situation where we are now? Do we need a turnaround? Retrace your steps to define if there were other paths you could have taken to be more confident of seeing different possibilities in the future. There is only one caveat: don’t use this insight to punish yourself (or others). You can’t change the past, but you can create a new future from a wiser perspective.
3. Practice surrendering:
Sometimes, our only choice is to release the reins. It takes courage and allows us to become flexible to what needs to happen. Surrendering does not mean abandoning the fight or leaving everything up to destiny. We all know that is usually not a good business or personal strategy. It means stopping the resistance and accepting our situation might not be at the moment what we anticipated, but it is what we have at the moment. Acceptance allows us to make the best choices moving forward because we are not dwelling on self-pity while remaining completely awakened during the process.
4. Open your arms to the Universe’s plans:
When all we can see are the walls, we forget that there are doors that lead us to paths we never envisioned. Let life surprise you. Being flexible and in creative response to new possible quests allow us to jump into the infinite mindset. Soccer players can train and practice tremendously, but it is in their acceptance to interact with the other team that they can innovate and win. The player doesn’t know what the opponent will do, but they constantly respond to each new pass or strategy. Their capacity to win is not based on their preparation to follow a script but on their flexibility to respond to any unexpected move from the opponent. If you haven’t noticed, life does not always follow our detailed plans. So when things go haywire, the more we see a change of plans as an opportunity for growth, the more likely we are to be prepared to thrive and win.
Although we cherish periods of growth, survival can offer tons of wisdom. What are the infinite possibilities that lay ahead (even if they are not accessible at this precise moment)? Is there any skill we could sharpen at the moment? Survival periods usually force us to move ahead because going back to the status quo is not a possibility. Focus on that spark of newness and be patient. Growth will be inevitable if you remain mindful, present, and awakened during the process.
What other steps have helped you thrive after being in survival mode?
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