Managing The Fears Of A Possible Second Wave

South Africans were bracing themselves for the news that we were heading back into stricter lockdown when the president addressed us recently. His news of lessened restrictions was welcomed by all. However, many people now speculate that we are merely delaying the inevitable and with borders opened for the holiday season, people not following the protocols as strictly as they should, as well as upcoming festive events etc. we will see our number spike dramatically causing us to go back into harder lockdown levels in the new year.

With countries all around the world imposing second ‘hard’ lockdowns on their citizens – South Africans are asking if we can avoid the same fate as our infection rate increases? Will government take some tough actions in the coming months as we head back into Winter in the Southern Hemisphere?

Jason Bernic, an Executive Life Coach, says that the fear of a second wave, and the subsequent lockdown measures that may be imposed by government, is dominating many people’s thoughts and conversations and infecting the way they operate, live their lives and look forward to the future.

“Many people are struggling with the equivalent of post-traumatic stress disorder – the first round of lockdown was described as the strictest in the world. Businesses closed, salaries were slashed and many people lost their jobs. Those that were just making it began to struggle and those that were struggling still face their worst financial nightmares.”

“This has left everyone reeling somewhat, and even as glimmers of light begin to appear for some on the economic horizon, South Africans are battling to feel optimism or positivity – particularly as Covid-19 does not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon and this makes for an uncertain future.”

Bernic offers some advice on how to calm your fears about a possible second wave and also prepare yourself as best as possible should it become a reality. “We have to accept that there are things that we can and cannot control. Government’s decision to possibly lockdown at any level is out of our control but how we plan for this, anticipate it, receive their actions and respond is fully in our control.”

“Being prepared for any situation helps you to feel less fear about it. We’ve been through lock down before we now have a reference on what to expect and can adapt and re-strategise, still in pursuit of our original goals. That is how those that weathered the first storm thrived – they kept their eye on the prize but went about things differently.”

Advice for businesses:

Bernic advises that as a business owner looking for ways to future proof yourself in the face of a possible second wave, here are some of the simple things you can do to prepare:

For starters, have a pivot strategy in place should your worst fears come to pass. They may not, but at least you know you have planned for the worst.
Check any, and all, expenses and trim the fat, so to speak, make sure you get rid of any unnecessary costs that you can do without.
Assess your office space or work-premises lease and see if you need so much of it or can downscale to smaller, less expensive premises.
Ascertain which employees thrive in a work-from-home environment and which are more productive at the office and implement measures to accommodate this on a long-term basis.
Look at ways to bring in an income from multiple sources – having all your eggs in one basket is not a good business strategy.
Look at ways to boost your sales NOW. Engage in active marketing to grow your brand and throw yourself into your business with enthusiasm.

Advice for individuals:

“For individuals who are anxious about how they will survive a second wave, there are some things you can do now that will not only assist should the second wave hit but will assuage your fears in the meantime, helping you manage the anxiety.”
Try to upskill yourself to stay relevant and be irreplaceable within the workplace. Upskilling yourself will also mean you are more employable should you need to find alternative employment and could also help you start your own entrepreneurial business.
Look at all your personal expenses and cut whatever you can. This will help you to possibly save some money and reduce over-indebtedness and financial over-commitment.
Those that are able should try to set aside at least six months’ worth of income as an emergency fund.
Look at ways to bring in multiple streams of income, perhaps there is a way to turn a hobby into a side-line business to bring in extra income.
Work hard at what you do and show that you are a valuable asset. If you run your own business work hard at that too.
Assess options for your children’s schooling and alternatives that work for you should schools close once again.
Focus on your family and loved ones. Your relationships with your spouse, parents, children and friends are key to your mental wellbeing and ultimately it is your family that is important. Be present for your children and set an example on how to handle adversity and stressful times.

To quote Brian Dyson, ex-CEO of Coca-Cola, “Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air. You name them work, family, health, friends and spirit. And you’re keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.”

Finally, try to relax – there’s no use in getting overly worked up and you can only control so much in life as mentioned earlier.

“Learning from the past and building one’s own capacity and resilience to deal with anything that the world throws at you is essential. It’s not about the what but about the how you deal with it that matters the most.”

For more information visit www.successcoaching.co.za