Pro-Act, Don't React

Are you proactive, or reactive?  Think before you answer.  Being proactive is more difficult than you might imagine.  Do you think ahead and get things done promptly, or wait until the last minute?  This can apply to work, general life maintenance (like taxes), or in a real emergency.  When we put things off, we create unnecessary stress, and often don't allow time for the unforeseen.  Then, as the deadline begins to quickly bear down us us, we forced to react.  When we react, we often don't make the wisest decisions.  

When you're faced with a real crisis, the results of poor decisions can be absolutely devastating.  Most people tend to think of crisis situations as those which affect many people.  Most crisis, however, occur on a much smaller scale - often just with you.  When you plan proactively, you have much more opportunity to determine the outcome of a situation, and you can even prevent a bad situation from turning into a crisis.  If an emergency does occur for which you have no plan, your proactive state of mind will help you manage the crisis more efficiently.

Consider these things to do before a crisis:

• Be on the lookout for things that need to be changed, improved or eliminated
• Always have a contingency plan in place for emergency situations
• Practice your contingency plan with anyone who might be affected

During a crisis:

•  #1 Rule - Remain Calm.  Take a deep breath, or a few.
• Determine how much time you have before you have to take action
• When time permits, ask others for their ideas or help
• Think of the worst-case scenario for the action you're choosing
• Help others remain calm by modeling calm behavior

“Do not wait for your ship to come in – swim out to it.” - Unknown