Being Blindsided: Truths & Tactics

Okay...we've all had one of those moments, days, weeks or years where everything comes piling down on us like a bombshell. It's hard to describe, but it's impact is powerful enough to cause an [metaphoric] earthquake in our lives; destructing our relationships, our hard work or our goals. It can be as minor (or in some cases as macro) as our computer breaking down in the middle of an assignment or an important document, and losing EVERYTHING that you'd been working so hard on. Funnily enough that experience has a descriptor and it's called being blindsided. 

It's a sports term, football to be more specific. Not that I'm overly into football, but I think once you hear this definition you'll relate.

Blindside [blahynd-sahyd]:

1. Sports. to tackle, hit, or attack (an opponent) from the blind side:

The quarterback was blindsided and had the ball knocked out of his hand.

2. Informal. to attack critically where a person is vulnerable,uninformed, etc.:

The president was blindsided by the press on the latest tax bill.

Or to simplify it even more, at your most unaware or vulnerable, you're impacted so hard that it causes it all of your bridges to burn and you're left with an alarm wailing in your head so loud that you go deaf. Now I know what you're thinking, that this analogy is a bit hyperbolic? And, you're right. But I also know that you've probably experienced this at least once in your life.

In the matter of a week this happened to me: the flu hit me hard; I locked my keys in my car; and I found out that an assignment was due on a much closer date that I had prepared for. Someone told me something that I didn't want to hear. I realised that even though I'm so close to graduating, I still have 150+ hours of work that I need to complete.

What. A. Mess.

But it got me thinking - how can I overcome the impact of the blindside? How can I minimise the damage that could hit me next time?

1. If you fall off the horse, you need to get back on again. 
It's such a simple saying, that I'm sure you've heard from a parent, a teacher or a grandparent, but it's dead-set true. In order to regain yourself, you need to brush of the dust (or in this case shock and hurt) and climb back onto that damn horse. Yeah having emotions and expressing yourself is necessary, but if you let them overcome you, you'll be in a much worse off place than you were to begin with.

2. Filter, before you even think. I've told you once, and I'll tell you again - as an over-thinker, overthinking is a red-warning-sign to evacuate your brain. To have so many emotions and ideas running around your mind can be dangerous. It's basically a hazard for drama, stress and even depression. So, get out of your mind by doing something that calms you down. Filter out the over-thinker's-thoughts, and go for a run, a bike ride, watch a movie or listen to some music. Number one priority in this moment, is to NOT think what the worse that can happen is.

3. Ask yourself, what is the worst that can possibly happen? At the end of the day, you cannot change the future, you can only be your best and do your best, and hope that it all works in your favour. But let's be realistic, if you know you can do better, then do better and know that if it all comes burning down, yes the initial impact might sting, but you can put a band-aid on it, and everything will get better. Flaws of a perfectionist/optimist = not wanting to admit the truth about what the worst thing that could possibly happen is. Let's be real - there's a 50/50 chance that your hard work could go either way, and things just might not work out the way you wanted them. Until you admit that - you're going to be pretty shocked every time you get blindsided. 

4. Drink coffee. 
Okay, I know what you're thinking - coffee has a pretty high cancer risk? I can't tell you that for sure, but what I do know, is that coffee is like a magical syrup that you can LEGALLY drink, which 100% benefits your life. If not for that hit you get after your first sip of coffee for the day (now I'm not talking Di Bella coffee, I'm talking premium single O), then for the satisfaction of being able to sit back and inhale and exhale with the fresh palette that follows a sip of heaven. If you're not a coffee person, then drink tea. I'm not judging - but all I'm saying is to take some time to watch the bees buzz and the world go 'round. 
5. Be self-controlled. 
There is nothing more empowering than having control of your self; whether it's your temper, your worth, your self-esteem, your emotions - take control and detmerine the way that they grow and you share them. At the end of the day, our reaction can make or break a relationship, and without that sense of control, we lose our humility and sanity. Stay strong and focussed!

And there you go - 5 tips and tactics to overcoming the extremities of being blindsided. Next time you start to watch your world burn down, check box these 5 things and you'll be okay.