Your inner landscape has come under attack. You are sensing, deep within your inner core, nervousness or tension, even hurting, leaving you more cautious, more focused on your own welfare. This is what it’s like to be passing through the Valley of Despair. 

Steps Out of the Valley

If you find yourself in the Valley of Despair, here are six things you can do that always help.

1.    Consult your Board. Start accepting that the Valley of Despair is just that—a valley. You will get through it. Tell yourself that what you’re feeling is perfectly normal and reasonable. Find people on your Personal Board of Directors you can trust, and share with them what has happened. Avoid conversations with people who trigger doom and despair.

2.    Seek Out Peace and Quiet. Create a quiet place where you can find some peace during the day. This is your place for prayer, meditation, or simple physical rest or exercise. Just keep in mind that your inner wounds will heal better if you occasionally take a peaceful rest, calm the chitchat, and quietly reflect on The Mountains of Hope and remind yourself of your Fish.

3.    Write Things Down. Periods of rapid change are a good time to keep a journal. It helps you keep track and lets you characterize things in your own words. It is a place for you to refine your Fish and record your hopes, fears, gratitude, and plans.

4.    Turn Toward the Mountains of Hope. Dig out that old mission or vision statement (personal or team) you prepared months ago. Get clear in your own mind what your and your organization’s purpose really is. Write it down, and start redefining it with your team.

5.    Create Achievements. Shift your relationship with time toward greater urgency. If you are used to planning quarterly, plan by the month for the next quarter. If you normally plan monthly, now do it weekly. Turn up the urgency dial, and create clear, early, achievable goals. Then communicate these goals just as clearly to your team. Focus everyone on achieving them. Don’t let people sit in the Valley of Despair without achievements to be proud of and to celebrate.

6.    Get Involved. The closer you get to your customer, in the broadest sense, the more nourishment you will derive from seeing that your purpose is being achieved. This is a great time to lead by example. Your commitment and confidence will be infectious.