Just as I sat down at my desk to write my first real post on how to deal with the global crisis (why not start with the big issues), my fire-alarm went off and there it was: my own personal crisis which needed immediate action. No time to consult the neighbors, the fire brigade, my mother or whoever; I had to deal with a (small) fire in my kitchen myself. Luckily it was quite easy to put it out, but the whole kitchen was filled with smoke and it had such an impact that for the rest of the day I was still shaking: what if the fire alarm would not have gone off or when I would have left my apartment?
OK; this experience made me think. What is it different from the current global financial crisis ? You have a situation that is getting overheated, nobody to control the process, it turns into a fire, the alarms go off, "oh my god" what is happening, fear and panic, drastic measures are taken, the fire is put out, you take a deep breath, you start cleaning up and assess the damage, how could you have been so stupid to let this happen and you take measures to prevent it for the future. It is as simple as that. And we do not need bystanders (read journalists) that constantly tell us how bad it is and that it will even get worse.
As an experienced sufferer of depressions and anxiety attacks I know the influence a constant flow of dramatic messages can have on your psyche. In the past and, in a rare case, even today I let myself get carried away and I slide down the slippery slope; I have now the techniques to counter these attacks (so don't worry) but it still reminds me to be cautious and do not let others overdramatized anxieties rule my thinking. I am the master of my thoughts.
It is not possible to ignore all the signals from the media; even if you do not hear or read them, you can still feel them. And it is not wise too ignore those signs; use them to your own advantage. Sift casually through the information to see what you need and simply take action if you think it is appropriate. The mind is powerful but without action it is more of a burden than a help. Easier said than done ... I still have to learn (... a lot).
There is plenty of time in the future to wonder why you back in 2008 entrusted all your money to that flashy 25-year broker in his € 3.000 Armani suit driving around in a Porsche, who can hardly have experienced the real value of money and takes financial risks that are irresponsible. Or that beautiful Icelandic savings' account for a lousy 1% extra interest.
Then you can laugh about it.
OK; this experience made me think. What is it different from the current global financial crisis ? You have a situation that is getting overheated, nobody to control the process, it turns into a fire, the alarms go off, "oh my god" what is happening, fear and panic, drastic measures are taken, the fire is put out, you take a deep breath, you start cleaning up and assess the damage, how could you have been so stupid to let this happen and you take measures to prevent it for the future. It is as simple as that. And we do not need bystanders (read journalists) that constantly tell us how bad it is and that it will even get worse.
As an experienced sufferer of depressions and anxiety attacks I know the influence a constant flow of dramatic messages can have on your psyche. In the past and, in a rare case, even today I let myself get carried away and I slide down the slippery slope; I have now the techniques to counter these attacks (so don't worry) but it still reminds me to be cautious and do not let others overdramatized anxieties rule my thinking. I am the master of my thoughts.
It is not possible to ignore all the signals from the media; even if you do not hear or read them, you can still feel them. And it is not wise too ignore those signs; use them to your own advantage. Sift casually through the information to see what you need and simply take action if you think it is appropriate. The mind is powerful but without action it is more of a burden than a help. Easier said than done ... I still have to learn (... a lot).
There is plenty of time in the future to wonder why you back in 2008 entrusted all your money to that flashy 25-year broker in his € 3.000 Armani suit driving around in a Porsche, who can hardly have experienced the real value of money and takes financial risks that are irresponsible. Or that beautiful Icelandic savings' account for a lousy 1% extra interest.
Then you can laugh about it.
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