Resiliency during financial difficulty

​With the recent COVID-19 outbreak, many of us have felt more anxious, stressed and tense. Of course, you don’t need to be stuck in lockdown to experience these feelings. Running a business can be difficult at the best of times, which often increases the pressure you feel. Before we get into Blair Ashdowne’s conversation with Mitch from UpstreamNZ, we want to stress that if you0’re feeling anxious, depressed, tense or like you’re not coping, help is available. 

​Anywhere in New Zealand, at any time, you can call or text 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor.

What Blair and the Heat Pumps NOW team went through in 2018 can happen to anyone or any business. In a recent interview, Blair shared his experiences.

When business goes from good to bad

​“In May 2018 we’d had a record month heading into our busy winter season. We’d taken on a new salesperson to help us cope with the extra demand, but for some reason it wasn’t working out. During what’s normally our busiest time of the year, sales tanked. We had no cash reserves, no savings, and we were heading into the quieter seasons of Spring and Summer. Pretty much, everything was going down the toilet,” says Blair.

“By August 2018 I hadn’t slept properly in weeks. The stress was really getting to me. I’d wake up drenched in sweat, wired like I’d been hit by a taser for two weeks solid. I was walking around the house with my wife in kids in silence, but inside I was screaming because I just didn’t know what to do.”

“This business is my livelihood. More than that, my employees depend on me for their livelihoods as well so they can take care of their families. But I was completely alone. I hadn’t said anything to anyone. They were some very dark days with some dark thoughts.”

Reach out when you need help

​“Once you hit rock bottom, you need to look up so you can see the direction you want to head in. I had to make a decision. Was I going to end it all or reach out? Even if it meant the end of my business, I made a decision for my family to reach out.”

“I called two friends of mine, an accountant and credit manager. I said, ‘I’m calling from my garage,’ and Jeannette, my credit manager said ‘That can’t be good.’ I told them everything, and they dropped everything to come and see me to work out a plan to move forward.

“I would say that I had created a mental and emotional prison for myself that was manifesting itself physically in my night sweats and agony. But the thing with a prison of this making is that the door isn’t actually locked. I’m not saying it’s easy. Truth was, I was a broken man. But the feeling once I had pushed the door open and started talking open and honestly with my trusted advisors and my wife was incredibly relieving.”

What can you do?

​In an uncertain time, we’re always looking for certainty. What is in your control right now? You have to get in the present moment in order to take positive action. So what can you do?

“Number one, you have to reach out. It’s that simple. Talk to someone you trust. Seek professional help. You don’t have to go through it alone.”

“Developing mind strength is also important, but you can only do that when you reach out and seek help. Now when I wake up, I tell myself ‘I am in control and I’m present in this moment’ and that stops me from spiralling down into despair”

“Another tool that I’ve discovered fairly recently is the Gratitude Diaries. Every day I make a list of three things that I’m grateful for just before I go to bed. It’s simple, but it’s an incredible tool for refocusing your mind on the positive.”

It’s fair to say Christchurch has been through a lot in recent years. If something we’ve said here resonates with you, if you’re struggling and don’t know where to turn, help is available.

Need to talk? Please reach out.

​It’s fair to say Christchurch has been through a lot in recent years. If something we’ve said here resonates with you, if you’re struggling and don’t know where to turn, help is available.

Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor 

Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)

Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

Healthline – 0800 611 116

Samaritans – 0800 726 666