Take a deep breath.
It's easy to get frustrated in the face of bad news. Some bad news arrives like a punch to the gut and easily provokes a knee-jerk reaction, but it is then when you must take a deep breath.
Avoid jumping to conclusions.
Bad news knocks at the door, and many times there is no fair warning of its arrival. At first glance, it's hard to make a decision. To make a decision, we need to review the details we have and seek to know as much as we can about what's going on. Once we've obtained all of the information available to us, we will be better equipped, allowing us to make a judgment as opposed to jumping to a conclusion.
Self-control
When all of your emotions are woken up like a sleeping volcano, it's easy to erupt and leave a Pompeii behind. We must be able to show self-control as opposed to become a slave of the moment. Often people have a shoot first and ask questions later mentality, but do we want to work with a leader like that? Do you want to be that type of leader?
Seek the facts.
There is no such thing as your truth. The only thing that exists is the truth; There is the truth, the details we have or don't have, and our perception of all of the information obtained. We either review the details available or refuse the details available and hold the results of our actions. In a time of bad news, don't look for people that will justify your actions, look for people that will speak the truth and bring clarity of mind in the face of emotions.
Negative visualization
We often talk about visualization, and when it's spoken about, we do so with a positive tone; that is, see where you want to be and move towards that target. However, negative visualization is also super helpful, especially when dealing with bad news. Take a moment with the bad news you have just received and ask your self two main questions:
What is the best-case scenario?
What is the worst-case scenario?
For each one, ask yourself:
what would I do next?
Example.
bad news: car broke down
worst-case scenario: it's going to need major work, and I am going to have to invest time and money or one of the two.
best case scenario: it's going to need some work, but I know a guy and the turnaround time isn't too long.
Under the worst-case scenario, what do I do? Is it worth the time and money or is it time to part ways?
Under the best-case scenario, what do I do? Maybe I know a guy, but I don't have the cash, can I work a deal with them?
Final thought:
There is not an unanswered question, just questions we don't seek the answer to. Bad news, rather it is the loss of a job, the breaking down of a car, or the deterioration of a relationship, etc., will always be around the corner. While we may not be able to control them, we should not allow them to control us. Take a deep, don't jump to any conclusions, use self-control, and gather all the information you have available and visualize the possibilities before to make the best possible decision.
