After the Storm: Preparing for the Next One

Last week, Hurricane Helene passed through Florida and other states. We hunkered down and hoped for the best. While my home was spared any damage, sadly others weren’t as fortunate. As I'm confident is the case with any other human being who is aware of this tragedy, my prayers and thoughts are with those families and communities who have suffered terrible losses.

In the aftermath of the storm, I've reflected on the fickleness of Hurricane Helene, wondering how we were lucky enough to be spared when so many other people were not. From there, my thoughts turned toward resilience—how do we as individuals, leaders, and communities respond in the wake of a storm, whether it's a literal natural disaster or one of the inevitable other types of "storms" life throws our way?

Supporting Those Affected

While my house remained unscathed, many people around me and throughout the southeast faced severe damage—floods, fallen trees, long power outages, and unfortunately even loss of life. It’s in these moments that we are reminded of our responsibility to reach out and help those who weren’t as lucky. Whether in our communities or workplaces, after we’ve weathered a storm, it’s essential to be there for others—offering help, empathy, or simply a listening ear.

In business and in life, leadership isn’t just about surviving the storm yourself—it’s about showing up for others when they need it most. Whether you’re offering resources, a helping hand, or moral support, the key is to be a part of the recovery process. Resilient teams and communities are built on these small, compassionate actions.

Preparing for the Next Storm

There’s a saying that goes something like, “If you’re not in a storm right now, get ready, because life will send you another one soon.” This sentiment is way more pessimistic than my typical outlook, but unfortunately, there's some truth to it. Storms—both literal and figurative—are part of life. After one passes, it’s important to not only breathe a sigh of relief but also to prepare for the next one.

Part of resilience is having a strong foundation to rely on when challenges come. For some (like me), that foundation may be faith; for others, it could be a personal philosophy, a supportive community, or a commitment to lifelong growth and learning. The key is to have something that anchors you in the storm—a bedrock that can sustain you through life’s inevitable challenges.

This idea of being anchored in something solid isn’t just for extreme events like hurricanes. It applies to the small and large storms of everyday life—whether it’s career setbacks, financial pressures, or personal struggles. Building resilience means learning from the challenges we’ve already faced and strengthening ourselves for what lies ahead.

Clarifying Priorities Through the Storm

Storms also have a way of helping you clarify your life's priorities. It's ironic that sometimes it takes almost losing everything (or actually losing everything) to remind you what's important, to get you back to putting first things first. This is another aspect of resilience since it may shift your perspective to the realization that you haven't lost everything.

For leaders and teams, storms also provide a chance to refocus on what really matters, whether that’s reinforcing company values or reconnecting with the purpose that drives your work.

How Can You Build Resilience?

You don't just wake up one morning and bam!, you're resilient. Resilience is like a muscle that you can and must build over time, through intentional practices that strengthen your ability to cope with adversity. Here are some actionable steps we can all take to help us foster resilience in our lives:

1. Clarify Your Values and Priorities: Reflect on what's truly important to you. Use challenging times as opportunities to realign your life with your core values. What do you value most—faith, family, health, relationships, meaningful work? Focusing on these priorities can help you better navigate hardships and put setbacks into perspective. How can you achieve this? Take a few minutes each day to reflect on your core values. Write them down and ask yourself: Are my daily actions aligning with these values? This simple exercise can help you stay focused during times of stress and make more intentional decisions.
2. Develop a Support Network: Resilience is not about going it alone. Build strong relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and communities who can offer emotional and practical support. Research shows that having a support network enhances psychological resilience, helping you cope with stress and challenges more effectively. How can you achieve this? In the professional world, this could mean building a network of trusted colleagues or mentors. Consider scheduling regular check-ins with your support system to foster relationships that offer mutual guidance and encouragement. For example, if you're facing a tough deadline at work, leaning on your colleagues or a mentor for help or advice can make a significant difference.
3. Practice Self-Care and Healthy Habits: Physical health is closely tied to mental resilience. Engaging in regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough rest are essential for keeping your body and mind strong. A healthy lifestyle not only reduces stress but also equips you with the energy and mental clarity needed to face challenges head-on. I know nobody likes to hear about exercising, drinking water, and eating more vegetables, but we tend to dislike feeling as though life is kicking us to the curb even more. Sometimes steps toward resilience are about making better choices. How can you achieve this? Set small, achievable goals like walking for 15 minutes during your lunch break or incorporating a few extra servings of vegetables into your meals. These habits, over time, build the resilience needed to face bigger challenges with more energy and clarity.
4. Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Approach difficulties as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. Embrace challenges as a chance to learn new skills and deepen your understanding. By viewing setbacks as temporary and changeable, you reinforce your ability to bounce back. How can you achieve this? Next time you're faced with a setback, practice shifting your thinking by asking, 'What can I learn from this?' Over time, this will train your brain to approach challenges as opportunities rather than roadblocks.
5. Stay Present with Mindfulness: Mindfulness and meditation can help you stay grounded in the present moment, rather than ruminating on past mistakes or worrying about future uncertainties. Taking a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness can significantly reduce stress and improve your emotional resilience. How can you achieve this? Try using a meditation app like Headspace or Calm, which offer guided sessions that are easy to fit into your daily routine, even during a quick break at work.
6. Focus on Solutions, Not Just Problems: When faced with adversity, it's easy to focus on what's going wrong. Instead, practice shifting your mindset to focus on potential solutions. Ask yourself: "What can I do right now to make things better, even in small ways?" Taking proactive steps, no matter how small, helps you feel more in control and capable of navigating the storm. How can you achieve this? During a project crisis, break the challenge into smaller parts. Ask yourself: 'What’s one thing I can fix or improve today?' Taking incremental steps toward a solution can alleviate the sense of being overwhelmed. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!
7. Learn from Past Challenges: Reflect on previous times when you've faced difficulties. What helped you get through them? What strengths did you rely on? By revisiting your own experiences of resilience, you can remind yourself of your capacity to overcome challenges and apply those lessons to future situations. How can you achieve this? Create a 'resilience journal' where you record past challenges you've overcome and the lessons you learned. This can be a powerful tool to revisit when you're feeling unsure or facing new difficulties.

These actionable steps can help you build a foundation of resilience that not only carries you through storms but enables you to thrive afterward. The key is to start small, remain consistent, and remember that resilience is not a destination; it’s a continuous journey of growth, adaptation, and learning. It’s a skill that develops over time, with each storm providing new lessons to carry forward.

Final Thoughts: Reflect, Serve, and Build Resilience

Whether it’s a natural disaster, a financial downturn, or personal hardship, life’s storms are inevitable. But how we respond makes all the difference. Take time to reflect on how you’ve weathered past storms, how you can support those who are still in a storm or recovering from one, and how you can better prepare yourself for the future.

Building resilience is not just about individual survival—it’s about creating a foundation that sustains you and those around you when the next storm hits. By reflecting, serving, and learning from our experiences, we can better navigate life’s challenges and come out stronger on the other side.

For me, these storms are not just reminders of nature’s power but opportunities to strengthen my foundation, both personally and professionally.

In Case You'd Like to Help Others

Communities in North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida are in urgent need of basic necessities like food, water, and shelter before they can even begin to put the pieces of their lives back together. If you’d like to help, here are a few reputable organizations where you can donate or volunteer. Note that I have no affiliation with any of these sites.

• American Red Cross: The Red Cross provides disaster relief, helping people affected by hurricanes, floods, fires, and other natural disasters. You can go to their website to donate or volunteer.
• GoFundMe: GoFundMe has a dedicated page for disaster relief campaigns, including Hurricane Helene, where you can find verified fundraisers for hurricane and storm relief.
• GlobalGiving: This is another trustworthy platform that connects donors with grassroots projects, including disaster relief efforts. They have specific pages dedicated to raising funds for relief from hurricanes and other natural disasters.
• Feeding America: This organization focuses on providing food assistance to communities in need. They often offer support during natural disasters by working with food banks across the country.