S.M.E.R.F.

YOUR BASIC NEEDS DURING TIMES OF CRISIS

Maintaining a high level of functioning is hard for most everyone during unprecedented times like we are facing in 2020. @dr.john_townsend hosts a weekly FB Live talk, God Bless him, serving the community selflessly during this pandemic, providing Tools for Living in Crisis to help us get through this unprecedented time.

I learned SMERF from John and I hope it’s helpful for you too.

Daily Check List:
S- Spiritual: Start each day with time with God, in prayer, dedicated to asking Him that you lead well.
M-Mental: Set your intentions each day in the morning. State a positive intention for the day like, “Today, I will make calm, rational decisions”. The brain loves order and self-talk enhances the brain’s engagement. As leaders we have to make decisions in this rapidly changing environment and sometimes without all of the information so you want to be mentally prepared to make the best possible!
E- Emotional: Listen to what you are feeling. Don’t disconnect. Reach out to trusted people for support and help to regulate how you are feeling.
R- Relational: We get so much from each other in our lives. We are all imperfect people and need each other for grace & truth to stay grounded in reality. Tell each other what you need, and ask others, “what do you need right now?” Sometimes we just need for someone to be with us, without words, simply support through presence.
F-Functional: Keep a daily to-do list to help you stay focused. Our brains need order and structure so stay committed to the goals you had pre-Covid-19, stay focused on pre-crisis mission and vision, and stay connected to your teams.

I’ve put this to work in my personal and professional life and I hope it is helpful to you as well.