While some problems persist, the shock is over.

There is no reason to continue with any pity parties or overt self-indulgence.

Now is the time to buck up.

What exactly does “buck up” mean? Well, it is a phrase from 1800s England taking the word for a male elk or deer to imply courage. It is usually said from Person A to Person B to nudge Person B into moving from inaction to action. It is akin to “grin and bear it” but not quite so harsh. It is a direct statement to use one’s personal strength to get through a problem by, essentially, “getting on with it”.

So, from this Person A to you Person B, buck up and move forward. Set a goal to complete something this week, especially related to work (whether you have any right now or not). Plan something (based on what you know right now) for 3 months from now. Lay the foundation about something that will unfold over the next 6 months. 

Turn off Netflix. Turn on action.

More importantly, it is absolutely possible to “buck up” oneself and not wait for the external reminder.

Action – For the next 15 minutes, brainstorm in writing all the things you have achieved in the last 5 years. It doesn’t matter of those things are work related or personal. They don’t have to be “massive” achievements – just things you did that you thought perhaps you could not do, or could not do well. Or maybe things that set you back and you ploughed through to keep moving forward. Or maybe attitudes you shifted. Or people you helped.

Let your rewriting be free-flow. Don’t censor or hold back. Just go for it. If it takes longer, great. Keep writing.

Then ask a friend, partner or spouse to add to the list. 

You see, resilience comes from your ability to remember who you are and what you are capable of, particularly in times you thought were overwhelming. I can guarantee that while current circumstances might feel “unprecedented”, you have actually come through this before, just in a different context. Remember that time and you will not only come through this time, but will do so with flying colors.

In the big picture, most of what you worry or complain about won’t matter to you in a year. In fact, it is unlikely to matter to you in a week. Worse still, it is likely something that you can’t control anyway!

That doesn’t seem to stop you from ruminating about it though, does it?

Why is that? Why do people – generally smart and knowledgeable folk – consistently spend time bitching, whining, worrying over things that either don’t matter or that they can’t control?

Well, there are a few possible answers. Briefly, some could be:

1. They are simply used to doing it this way and it is just part of their process (however futile)
2. If others are doing it, it makes them part of ‘the gang’
3. They are deflecting anger or frustration from one matter over there to this matter right here

However, more often than not, any type of negative rumination is an avoidance tactic involving something else.

You see, most of us actually know what we can and cannot control on a daily basis. So staying stuck by focusing on our worry and complaining means we don’t have to take certain risks, jeopardize our self-esteem or put ourselves in the way of other people’s possible rejection or bad-mouthing.

If you weren’t bitching so much, you’d have a whole bunch of time to get on with other things! The problem is that some of those things cause you to procrastinate.

And that is why procrastination can be such a positive and powerful thing!

Action – Don’t believe me? Read the first 18 pages of this!

After months of trying to figure out what was going wrong, and months of working with a marketing team on rebranding (so therefore not making the technology a priority), I am finally able to start posting on the site again!

Of course, Murphy’s Law would mean this is resolved just a few weeks before a brand new website will be sitting here!

Ahhhhh, the joys of technology!

After enjoying one-too-many cups of tea at one of my favorite coffee houses, I bid my companion a quick “I’ll be right back” and dashed off to the ladies room. Another woman had a similar calling and toddled in to the restroom right behind me.

I heard her muttering away and didn’t think much of it – lots of people do that. But then I realized she was actually having a full-blown conversation … and not just with herself!! There was someone on the other end of her Bluetooth.

Perhaps I live a somewhat secluded life (though I very much doubt that). Or perhaps I’m just an old fuddy-duddy (which I also very much doubt).

But am I the only one that thinks using the cellphone in a public washroom is just pushing things a bit too much??