Imagine you are a couple stuck in a desert in Morocco with three young children aged 4,7 & 10. Volcanic ash has caused chaos around the world. Flights are grounded, confusion reigns, anxiety and disorder are at an all-time high. You are well outside of your comfort zone.

What was meant to be a relaxing holiday, has turned into a logistical nightmare.

So, what do you do?

Are you decisive? Do you move ahead, adapt and try to solve the problem by trying to get home?

Or, do you hesitate, keen to avoid making an incorrect decision. At least you can remain safe and wait for normality to return. This feels easier, relaxing even.

But what might be the results of taking either of the above options?

There is such a thing as 'first-mover' advantage - indecision maybe even worse than making a bad decision.

Meanwhile, the airport flight board just says cancelled, cancelled, cancelled. At this point, it is important to remain calm and think, solving each problem as it arises. Moving forward, step by step toward your goal by making the best use of your available resources will produce a forward momentum. This might sound challenging and stressful, but it could be the best path for success.

You might also get lucky on the way. You could meet the right person at the right time who will help you to gain an advantage. And this could lead you onto your next step of the journey. By accepting the fact that this whole thing is not ideal but embracing the challenge anyway may well lead to the right result.

Interested in discovering the result? Check out Rob Karsten at Phoseon Technology’s session 9 am on 26th February. Strange Times: Or how I learned to stop worrying and embrace the pandemic