I just got a call from an 87-year-old lawyer friend. After 10 years of dallying, she’s updating her will. “I know it sounds silly,” she explained, “but because of the virus I’ve decided to stop procrastinating.
I’m anxious about dying and taking action lessens my anxiety.” It doesn’t sound silly at all. As counterintuitive as it may seem, imagining the dire consequences of a given crisis and then strategizing to mitigate it actually creates a greater sense of confidence and calm.
Problem-solving makes you feel more in control because you’re dealing with it. Many professions routinely prepare for emergencies and accidents—the military, first responders, and fund managers, to name a few.
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