In life and business, times of crisis will arise as it is a normal part of life and living. A crisis is a time of intense difficulty or a time when you need to make a difficult or important decision.
As a fashion entrepreneur, you will always come to points where you need to make some difficult or important decisions, at these times, you need to learn to remain calm. While the normal reaction to a crisis is anxiety and uncertainty, it is important to remain calm so you can think things through and know what to do.
Last week, we reviewed a video by Beth Fayemi on 15 strategies to retain customers, build customer loyalty, and get them to buy again, and this week, we reviewed a video by Ronke Lawal on ‘How to Stay Calm During a Crisis’. In it, she highlighted steps to take to remain calm when you have a crisis at hand.
This video aims to reassure and teach entrepreneurs how to remain calm and as peaceful as possible in crises situations.
This video review will cover;
- useful points fashion entrepreneurs can learn from,
- important points missed out,
- the relevance of the information provided to fashion entrepreneurs.
Steps to Take to Remain Calm in Crises
1. Rest.
Finding time to rest in crises is important. While it is natural to feel agitated and restless in a crisis, it is more healthy to find space and time to rest and allow your body, mind, and spirit to recalibrate.
When you are rested, it is much easier to make decisions for your fashion business and think clearly through crises.
In a crisis, I try to detach myself from the situation. I breathe in and out to get myself to a quiet place and I think of events that make me happy. I also pray. This helps me relax and know that I’ve got the situation under control – it puts things in perspective for me. – Oreoluwa Oludiya.
2. Breathe.
Some of our most basic human activities are there to serve us and we need to use them to our advantage. Just breathe and let it calm you. When you feel tensest and pressured, remember to take deep breaths and focus on your breathing, this will help a lot.
Even at moments when you do not even realise you are feeling anxious, when you realise it, you need to remember to breathe. Breathe in and breathe out consciously. Pay attention to your breathing and let it calm you.
3. Be Kind and Compassionate to Yourself and Others.
During a time of crisis, it is normal to put pressure on yourself to keep going, get over it, or begin to compare your situation to other situations. This is not needed because your feelings are natural and you are allowed to feel what you are feeling.
Be easy on yourself and be kind and compassionate. The kinder you are to yourself, the easier it will be to be kind and compassionate to others. Be patient with others so you do not hurt them or make them suffer for what you are going through.
4. Limit the Amount of Content you Consume.
Understand the type of content you consume during a time of crisis.
At times of crisis, you need to allow your brain time to rest and time to be away from any content that might affect you adversely. If content is your escapism then it is fine to consume content but you need to pay attention to the type of content you consume.
Your productivity is not a measure of your worth so it is okay to rest.
If the content you are consuming is not entertainment or escapism, but it is information, make sure you consume those that are fact-based and from a reliable source. You need to remain focused on truth and facts. It is okay to unplug from social media, normal media and stop producing content for a while.
Important Points Missed Out
1. Speak to a Trusted Friend or Mentor.
Everyone needs a support system. When in a crisis, do not be afraid to ask for advice from others, most especially people you trust and respect. Look for someone who is not emotionally invested in the situation and can look at this from a different perspective.
A mentor who has gone ahead of you in business can also help you find ways to navigate the situation. Sometimes, as you share, you discover a new approach or solution to the situation all by yourself.
During crises, make sure that everything you are doing allows you to stay balanced and when you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed, listen to yourself, do not pressure yourself, take time out and go back when you feel like you are ready and able to. It is natural to panic but always just give yourself space and surround yourself with this that give you hope.
The Usefulness of the Information to Fashion Entrepreneurs
The tips shared in the video are very useful for fashion entrepreneurs because, many times, based on pressure from around, it is easy to be anxious and tense in crisis. This video teaches you practical ways to just be calm so you can make good decisions.
