What Got You Through It? Lessons in Fear, Logic, and Resilience

There are moments in life that remind us just how little control we truly have. A few years ago, we experienced one of those moments on a global scale — when everything familiar stopped, routines shattered, and uncertainty took center stage.

We were on a roll. The economy was booming, businesses were expanding, and the future looked bright… until it didn’t. Practically overnight, the world changed.

Looking back, people disagreed about the right decisions, the wrong decisions, who handled what well, and who didn’t. But the part that really mattered was this: We didn’t know what was going to happen. There were no clear facts. No guaranteed answers. No predictable outcomes.

Life became a swirl of fear, frustration, and conflicting information. Many of us suddenly had new roles we never asked for — parents became teachers, teachers became tech experts, leaders became crisis managers, and daily life flipped upside down.

So the real question became: What got you through it? How did you respond? I’ll tell you what I did — and then I hope you’ll reflect on what you learned about yourself.

When Fear Hits, Education Comes First

Any time I’m faced with something that scares me, the first thing I do is educate myself.

• What am I really up against?

• What is true and what is noise?

• What can I control?

• What action can I take?

Fear is emotional. If I respond emotionally, I become reactive, easily swayed, and easily overwhelmed. But if I treat fear logically, it becomes manageable. Research gives me facts. Facts give me clarity. Clarity returns my sense of control.

Logic Helps You Move Out of Fear

When uncertainty was at its peak, I focused on:

• What we knew about similar challenges

• What actually strengthened resilience

• What risks were real

• What steps mattered most

The details changed constantly, but the important lesson didn’t: If I operate with my emotional brain, fear wins. If I operate with my human brain, learning wins. And that shift — from reaction to education — helped me stay steady.

Crisis Is Also a Time for Reflection

When normal life is disrupted, leaders have an opportunity: Reflect. Reset. Rebuild. Reimagine.

For me, that meant stepping back and asking:

• What are we trying to accomplish with our leadership company?

• Are we offering the right opportunities to the people who need them most?

• How can we reach leaders who want to grow, even when life is unpredictable?

That clarity helped us expand our online presence and develop programs to teach young adults how to handle emotions and make informed decisions. Growth came out of disruption.

So… What Got You Through It?

Hard seasons force us to examine who we are, what matters, and how we choose to respond. Were you considered essential? Were you working from home? Were you teaching kids, adjusting routines, or trying to keep a business afloat?

More importantly:

• What kept you grounded?

• What helped you stay logical instead of emotional?

• What did you learn about yourself?

• How did you grow?

The circumstances may have been unique, but the lessons are timeless. When life becomes unpredictable, education, reflection, and intentional action get us through it. So tell me…What got YOU through it?

If seasons of uncertainty have pushed you to think more deeply about your leadership, explore the resources inside Your Leadership Blueprint—designed to help you gain clarity, confidence, and direction.