Big change—at both personal and global levels—seems afoot. As we navigate crises, many of us find our minds clenching with worry, scanning news headlines, or wrestling with thoughts that keep us from taking meaningful steps forward toward the work, life, or projects that matter most.
Yet, as Eben Harrell, senior editor at the Harvard Business Review, recently wrote, “If the pre-Covid zeitgeist was about ‘grit’ and ‘growth mindset,’ many of us are now seeking to unclench our minds and find greater peace. And that, according to a raft of recent and upcoming books, is something awe and wonder can help with.”
Indeed, a fresh focus on peace and wonder, rather than sheer grit, might hold the key to our collective well-being.
And to make my proposition even richer, new research suggests that even rumination in the midst of crisis might serve us well.
Recent studies show that certain types of rumination, particularly during crises, may spur positive coping skills and uncover new opportunities. Entrepreneurs, for example, who zero in on resourceful ways to mitigate losses may find themselves surprisingly equipped to pivot and transform their business models.
As counterintuitive as it seems, allowing ourselves to ruminate on difficult situations—with a wondrous context—may actually lead to constructive action.
Embracing “Crisis Rumination” as an Active Coping Strategy
Most of us experience what I call at Tracking Wonder “downer patterns”—negative thought loops that distort our perception of ourselves, our work, or our surroundings. But crisis rumination, the focused rumination sparked by an external crisis, can sometimes help us define problems more clearly and respond actively.
For instance, a study published in the Journal of Business Venturing explores how certain kinds of entrepreneurs under duress often become more adaptable and ultimately pivot their business model. The study presents a micro-level model anchored in psychological stress theories, notably conservation of resources theory, to explain how crisis rumination—the repetitive, anxious thinking triggered by prolonged crises—leads entrepreneurs to take proactive steps. During crises, entrepreneurs facing sustained stress experience rumination, which depletes resources and heightens the motivation to act to prevent further losses. This model has broader implications for understanding the psychological drivers behind entrepreneurs’ crisis resilience and adaptability.
These certain kinds of entrepreneurs tend to conserve resources, adapt business models, and pivot based on the circumstances—a proactive approach that has proven to support resilience. This method of problem-focused or “task-oriented” coping can turn challenges into opportunities for growth, even as we feel the crunch of adversity.
Practical Steps for Embracing Wonder During Challenging Times
However, working through a crisis doesn’t mean succumbing to negative thought loops or bypassing them altogether.
Instead, I suggest certain practices that help channel rumination constructively. Here are a few practical approaches I encourage clients to consider as they navigate uncertainty:
- Flow Foundations: Think of flow foundations as the essentials for well-being during stressful times. When in crisis, we tend to forget to care for ourselves. Yet, closer attention to your physical and mental energy can create a solid foundation of resilience. You can adjust your diet to support your mood; take short, energizing walks; or even unplug for 10 minutes to help soothe the nervous system and prepare the mind for constructive thought. Taking micro-moments of intellectual, creative, or emotional stimulation can help your fight-or-flight sympathetic nervous system calm down.
- Define the Downer Pattern: Labeling thought patterns is often the first step to breaking free of them. With emotionally neutral language, write down any negative thoughts and observe their effects on your body and mood. Then, clearly define the problem. Does it relate to a threat to resources, a downturn in business, or perhaps the challenge of new technology? This objective approach can often lead to a reduction in distress and a greater focus on solutions.
- Curiosity as a Compass: In times of crisis, the difference between curiosity and passion becomes especially significant. Passion can be fleeting, while curiosity is often more enduring and resilient. By engaging curiosity, we can identify new opportunities for growth. For example, one client, a business owner facing a period of stagnation, found a renewed sense of purpose by becoming curious about his potential customers’ needs, uncovering new avenues for his expertise.
- Simplify and Pivot: For entrepreneurs, simplifying or reimagining business models during a crisis can be a lifeline. Consider the client who, early in the pandemic, swiftly shifted her business to online workshops. She not only preserved her business but also expanded her reach and impact. Similarly, exploring gradual pivots—like moving from private practice to group workshops—can make resilience sustainable.
An Invitation to Wonder
Melissa Kirsch recently reflected that living with a bit more openness to surprise—versus constantly planning—could actually improve our well-being. This practice invites a sense of wonder, allowing us to explore small, unexpected moments in our daily lives, even during times of adversity. Whether it’s the connection with a stranger, the beauty of a landscape, or a creative breakthrough, opening to wonder can keep us anchored and hopeful.
This focus on wonder can also extend beyond the Earth. When U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón was invited to write a poem for a NASA space mission, she focused on wonder itself: “Yes, we’re going to this incredible place… But we’re also on the most incredible planet, and it is full of life.” Her words capture both the awe of the cosmos and the wonder inherent in our everyday world—even when that world seems on fire.
Resilience Essential Reads
Your Wonder Practice
Here are some simple ways to integrate wonder and harnessed rumination into your life this week:
- Make a small tweak to your flow foundations, whether it’s adding a few minutes of activity or a healthier breakfast.
- Define one downer pattern and observe its effect on your thoughts and energy.
- Identify something that makes you curious. It might be a new idea, a topic, or a group of people.
- Take one action toward a solution.
Let me know how these ideas resonate with you. Embracing curiosity and taking even one small step can build both your resilience and your sense of wonder.
Thanks for showing up to create a life of impact and meaning, one thoughtful step at a time.
