Because of the latest events the last week in South Africa, like many, I was faced with uncertainty. News of war, food shortages, and the end of life as we know it was on everybody’s minds and social media feeds. It was hard not to get caught up in the hype of it all.

As strongmen, we need to have a plan of action when disaster strikes. But we also need to know when it is time to activate our plan. The hysteria of people the last couple of days was evident. The food stores had less food than usual and petrol station supplies were low. I do not stay in Gauteng or Durban, so danger seemed far away, but the reaction of people around me had me asking the question “should I also be worried about supplies and join in the panic buy frenzy?”

The Panic buy freak-out frenzy.

Like I said in some of the other posts, I am a big fan of responsibility. In a time of crisis, it is most important to be organized and ready to go. If you are ready, you do not need to get ready, right!? Crisis or no crisis you need to have extra supplies, and a plan. BUT it is very important not to get sucked into the panic.

The urge to join will be there. This is what I battled with. Everywhere is saw bakkies with jerry cans on the back for extra fuel. At food stores you saw people buying 7-year worth of food, and my wife and I constantly asked our selves “are we making a mistake not buying extra stuff”, although we have extra supplies at home.

You control more than you think.

One of my many unpopular opinions is that we control more aspects of our lives than we are willing to accept. Many of the unfortunate events in our life are due to our own decisions or lack thereof. You control what you eat, you control what you read, you control what you think, you control what you say, you control how you spend your time, you control the amount of effort you put in at work. You control the father you are, you control what you do with your money, you control the type of MAN you are. I can go on, but you get the point.

Unfortunately, people like to focus on the things they cannot control and neglect the things they can. Your emotional response to the latest and greatest internet story will not stop war or food shortages. The truth is you cannot change the things you do not control. If you focus on the things under your direct control first, the uncontrollable will take a back seat. You will create a better environment for yourself and your family.

I am not saying you should go all ostrich “head in the sand”, you most certainly need to identify threads, but you also need to assess it, keep your emotions in check and only then decide. 

I did not join the panic train. I decided to keep calm. Trust my ability as a strong man to think on my feet. 

In the book F*CK Your Feelings by Rayn Munsey he explains that 85% of our decisions are made from emotions. Most people exercise no effort to control said emotions and their decisions are based on the panic of the day. A good rule of thumb is to watch what the masses do and do exactly the opposite. One great example: Most men do not carry a gun; I do the opposite. 

See Opportunity in the chaos  

I know what you are going to say,” even if I control the things, I can, the government is still destroying the country, they make it hard for me to get a job and earn a decent income.” Yes, that is all true. BUT if they destroy someone must build it again, be the MAN that seeks the opportunity in the chaos. 

I am convinced that if you work hard and take responsibility for your actions you will become unstoppable. You will worry less about the things you have no control over and if you worry less, you will be more focused on the things you do control. This is not easy though it will require discipline and effort and it will take time, the reward is worth it. 

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts. If you are going through hell, keep going. Everyone has his day, and some days last longer than others” – Winston Churchill.

THE STRONG