1. Stay Calm. Say “This shall pass.” Resolve to be positive. Refuse to be upset and angry.

2. Be confident in your ability. Keep saying “I like myself.” “I can do it!” “Confidence comes with the forward motion toward your goals.” Remind yourself you have handled problems before.

3. Dare to go forward. Vision and courage are for the leaders. Draw on the courage. “Act as if it’s impossible to fail, and it shall be.” Courage to launch and endure (persist in the face of disappoint) – a true test of leadership.

4. Get the “true” facts. The reality principle – facing the world as it is, not what it should be. Ask “What and how are we trying to?” “What assumptions are we making and what if we are wrong about the assumption?”

5. Take Control (of your mind/emotion). Focus on what’s under your control and what can be done. Accept 100% responsibility and take charge. Keep saying “I’m responsible.” Focus on the future, not the past.

6. Cut your losses – don’t cry over spilled milk: Use “Zero-based” thinking – “is there anything what I’m doing today, knowing what I now know, I wouldn’t get into.” Ask “how do I discontinue this product & service?” Get back to basics.

7. Manage the crises: It’s the testing time. Preserve cash. Get the facts. Discipline yourself to think of solutions. Become action oriented. Crises anticipation: looking ahead to future and ask what could happen to my business and personal life. What steps would you take and react? Extrapolated thinking: describe how you handle in such a crisis. What’s the worst that could happen in this situation? Make efforts to make sure they don’t happen.

8. Communicate constantly. In crunch time, keep key people informed. “No surprises” policy for everyone. Explain what’s going to happen. Ask for ideas. Do not hide the crises. Offer to pay interest only until turn around. Do not delegate to others.

9. Identify your constraints. Be clear about your goals. What are the limiting factors to achieving this goals? Why am I already there with my goal? 80/20 rules seem to apply. 80% of constraints are internal and 20% external. What’s in me or my business that’s holding me back? Fear of failure or rejection. External constraints are outside of your control. There are things you can affect. Focus on one major constraining factor. Get on with it.

10. Tap into your higher power – “holy spirit” or “infinite intelligence,” or “super conscious mind” or “power of God.” Use meditation, solitude or prayer. Let your mind relax – think about water, deep pool of still water – to calm your mind. Develop an attitude of faith. Goal: “peace of mind” and “happy resolution” of the problem. Be open to whatever happened around you. Whatever you want wants you. Be alert. Expect the miracle to come around you.

Remind yourself that life is full of tests and you only fail when you give up. Resolve to persist.