Last month I went on a vacation with my family. I was looking forward to unwind before taking the busiest month of the year for my business, head on. But as things happened, I injured myself and ended up with a broken arm during the holiday.
It was the end of the year, and I had a month full of plans – a new business project to launch and countless personal engagements to attend.
Sitting at the hospital's emergency room, with the doctor giving instructions for me to follow including barring me from activities critical to my business, I knew the situation was beyond my control, and that I may have to put many of my projects on hold until I fully recovered.
In business, just like in our personal lives, we plan, we forecast, we prepare for the worst, we strategise and draft risk management plans.
Despite all of that, things happen that are beyond our control, that can put everything on hold in a split second.
I've always strongly believed that how we handle and react in those situations is what sets us apart from everybody else; how a change of perception is crucial not only in business, but in life in general.
When I went through the accident, it was an afternoon, and my family and I had planned an outdoor movie night. Our forecast radar never detected an accident ahead, but it happened, and there was no way to go back in time and stop it. Nevertheless, I didn't let it ruin my night. We still had our movie night, even if it was in a hospital and not exactly as I had planned.
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Now that I look back, I realise it was one of the most memorable movie nights, and it probably will be one for some time to come.
While many of my projects are on hold, I found a way around my situation, and I considered my recovery time as an opportunity to reflect, meditate and plan the year's projects.
In the end, it actually turned out to be a good thing for me. I read more, slept more and caught up with so many personal matters that I didn't have time for.
Here are three ways to help you cope with situations that are beyond your control:
You cannot control everything
There's only so many ways you can prepare for the worst case scenarios. You can have all the plans in place, and the best team on board, but some situations are beyond your control. You have no say in how the economic situation or how a war or global crisis affects your business, but if you keep in mind that the only thing you can control is your reaction to situations and your attitude, you will go a long way. Maintaining a positive outlook not only will help you keep your health in check, but will also help you keep calm as you think of a solution.
Focus on what you can do
While you can’t force someone to share your business passion, you can create an environment at work that would foster this passion, and make your team feel like owners and important stakeholders in your business.
Stress management
The first thing that will hit you when are facing an unexpected situation is stress – and that is one thing you don't need, as everything from your work performance to your health will just spiral.
Schedule time to engage in healthy stress relievers such as yoga, reading a book, or coffee with a good, positive friend. Your unhealthy habits such as smoking, or sleeping late, will only worsen your situation. Hear it from someone who used to stay up till the early hours of the morning; I can say my business performance was negatively affected.
The good thing is that with practice you can always turn your brain to react differently, and while we can't make things happen the way we want, we still have full control over our emotions and reactions.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati writer who manages her branding and marketing consultancy in Abu Dhabi.
Rashid & Rajab
Director: Mohammed Saeed Harib
Stars: Shadi Alfons, Marwan Abdullah, Doaa Mostafa Ragab
Two stars out of five
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Results
- Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
- Braun Strowman and Nicolas won the Raw Tag Team titles against Sheamus and Cesaro
- AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
- Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
- Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
- The Undertaker beat John Cena
- The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
- Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
- Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
- Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
- Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
- Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
- Cedric Alexander won the vacant Cruiserweight title against Mustafa Ali
- Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
India Test squad
Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Read more about the coronavirus
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