How To Recover From An Unexpected Financial Emergency
Money crisis? You can save your finances AND your relationship.
Recovering from an untimely or unexpected financial crisis is a process that involves both a plan and an attitude shift. Sure, bad things can happen unexpectedly, but the way out of them is smart thinking and a strategy. If you find yourself facing an unexpected emergency, here's how to get out of it with ease and grace:
1. Face it head-on
While it is, to some degree, human nature to put off things that are unpleasant, ultimately that way of thinking just won't get you anywhere. The fact is that the situation will likely only grow if it's left ignored. Be realistic about where you are and resolve to do whatever it takes to correct the situation. Talk openly and honestly about what has happened and how it's affected you and your relationship.
2. Remember that you're in this together
During the course of life, conflicts and stress arise that can bring out your differences. A couple's ability to resolve such crises intact depends not just on how much you love each other, but more on how you respond to the unexpected. Try to remember that respect, kindness, honor and trust are the foundations of a healthy union, and try to maintain your commitment to your spouse as you dive into the issues.
3. Do what you can
Something like job loss can quickly snowball into panic. The situation may seem insurmountable when you think of having to handle it all at once. But ask yourself this: how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Stay active but only concern yourself with one action at a time.
4. Be open
We lean toward the most obvious options. What are the other possibilities? Could you barter? Make special payment arrangements? Or defer the bill until you get another job? You'll never know unless you ask!
6. Identify those who can help you
If you have lost a job or are in debt, what can you do to change your circumstances? First, delegate out. A wise man has many delegates. Gather resources that feel right to you and utilize them. Whether that is debt consolidation, taking out a loan to keep your business operating, or just plain old cutting back, call those in who can support you.
7. Practice humility
If we lose our money we often have an attitude adjustment regarding finances. If you are in this place it is time to slim down all excessive habits and live in humility. This is a discussion to be had with your family, your spouse and your employees. Learning to live slim has great value because you are able to see what in your life has real value. Slimming down is sometimes like clearing clutter of excess needs or desires. How slim can you live? Can you still find happiness while living slim? Can you love yourself the same in a simple car? If not, why not? What can you learn about life, yourself, your family when you slim down?
8. Engage yourself in SAE
When it comes to stress, we all handle it differently. These simple differences can result in small fissures that ultimately harm the relationship. One of the best way to plan for the unexpected is to be prepared. Think about your partner and consider how you approach stressful events, then work on seeing, acknowledging and embracing your differences. What's the good side of how how he approaches stress? What does she do that makes a positive outcome more likely? The lesson here is that if you're not prepared to deal with each other's differences, when challenges arise, the ensuing disillusionment could turn an opportunity to strengthen the relationship into one that destroys it.
9. Practice abundant vs excessive thinking
A financial crisis, though devastating, allows us the chance to recalibrate, start over and evolve to a higher level of balance. Call to mind a study on two groups of people: one group wrote down goals while the other group just thought about their goals. Those who wrote their goals achieved them 4 times more frequently. Those who thought about their goals did not achieve even a third of their list. Their goals remained in the state of a wish. A wish is only potential. If you want to change your financial situation, write down what you want to change, share ideas with those who can support you, ask for their input and collectively start along your achievement path to abundance. Find a place to begin this new program, waste no time, and start now!
10. Address your fear-based thoughts
When we slim down, we can become abundant. Begin to remain open to new financial ideas, opportunities and ways of living that are without excess. If you live with abundance you will pull abundance to you. Your outer world will mirror your inner world. If you live in fear and lack, you will get fear and lack. People who succeed remain persistent in their hard work and their belief that the money will come, and eventually it does.
11. Picture a successful outcome
We get overwhelmed when we envision failure. Notice when negative thoughts come up. Shift back to thoughts that empower you to move forward. Keep believing that you are fully capable of handling the current situation regardless of how long it takes to turn it around. You can do it.
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