--- title: Stay Focused in Times of Crisis description: The pandemic and times that followed were difficult for business owners, and the challenges aren't disappearing. Leaders must lead proactively to succeed. image: https://1652561.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/1652561/Stay%20Focused%20in%20Times%20of%20Crisis.jpg --- [![Novaura](https://novaurains.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Novaura%20Logos/01819-Novaura-Logo-NoTag-CC.png?width=250&height=39&name=01819-Novaura-Logo-NoTag-CC.png "Novaura")](https://novaurains.com) - [Home](https://novaurains.com) - Services - [Benefits & HR](https://novaurains.com/services) - [Case Study: Increased participation by 30%](https://novaurains.com/case-study-rebuilding-trust-in-ancillary-benefits-novaura) - [Case Study: Avoiding 120% Rate Increase](https://novaurains.com/case-study-employer-saves-over-221000-in-benefits-spend-novaura) - About - [About us](https://novaurains.com/about-us) - [Our journey to Novaura](https://novaurains.com/our-journey-to-novaura) - Resources - [Blog](https://novaurains.com/blog) - [Guide: Self-funding 101](https://novaurains.com/self-funding-101-a-beginners-guide) - [Contact](https://novaurains.com/contact) [![](https://novaurains.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Novaura%20Logos/01819-Novaura-Logo-NoTag-CC.png?width=200&height=31&name=01819-Novaura-Logo-NoTag-CC.png)](https://novaurains.com) [![01819-Novaura-Logo-NoTag-CC](https://novaurains.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Novaura%20Logos/01819-Novaura-Logo-NoTag-CC.png?width=300&height=47&name=01819-Novaura-Logo-NoTag-CC.png "01819-Novaura-Logo-NoTag-CC")](https://novaurains.com) - [Home](https://novaurains.com) - Services - [Benefits & HR](https://novaurains.com/services) - [Case Study: Increased participation by 30%](https://novaurains.com/case-study-rebuilding-trust-in-ancillary-benefits-novaura) - [Case Study: Avoiding 120% Rate Increase](https://novaurains.com/case-study-employer-saves-over-221000-in-benefits-spend-novaura) - About - [About us](https://novaurains.com/about-us) - [Our journey to Novaura](https://novaurains.com/our-journey-to-novaura) - Resources - [Blog](https://novaurains.com/blog) - [Guide: Self-funding 101](https://novaurains.com/self-funding-101-a-beginners-guide) - [Contact](https://novaurains.com/contact) [![](https://novaurains.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Novaura%20Logos/01819-Novaura-Logo-NoTag-CC.png?width=200&height=31&name=01819-Novaura-Logo-NoTag-CC.png)](https://novaurains.com) - [Home](https://novaurains.com) - Services - [Benefits & HR](https://novaurains.com/services) - [Case Study: Increased participation by 30%](https://novaurains.com/case-study-rebuilding-trust-in-ancillary-benefits-novaura) - [Case Study: Avoiding 120% Rate Increase](https://novaurains.com/case-study-employer-saves-over-221000-in-benefits-spend-novaura) - About - [About us](https://novaurains.com/about-us) - [Our journey to Novaura](https://novaurains.com/our-journey-to-novaura) - Resources - [Blog](https://novaurains.com/blog) - [Guide: Self-funding 101](https://novaurains.com/self-funding-101-a-beginners-guide) - [Contact](https://novaurains.com/contact) # Stay Focused in Times of Crisis 2 Minutes Read The pandemic and the economic downturn that followed put many businesses in shaky situations and left people in uncertain situations that they may still be navigating to this day. It’s not the first, or the last, time in history that business leaders navigated uncertainty. Businesses have been succeeding and failing since capitalism began. It’s a fact of life when you go into business, sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose. Many businesses that could have won during this new normal lost due to poor and reactive management. If business crises have been happening since the dawn of capitalism, why is it that businesses keep going under for the same reason? Because humans run businesses, and humans are emotional, fallible creatures. ### Going into lockdown mode When a crisis hits, whether it’s external (a pandemic) or internal (a sudden change in leadership or loss of a major client), “business as usual” ceases to exist. We stop everything and focus on survival. Leaders focus on the problem in front of them and how to solve it. They go into reactionary mode. Sometimes, that’s necessary. Staying in reactionary mode long-term, however, can hurt a business. This type of mindset leads to jumping from one thing to the next, trying to put out fires on the outskirts while neglecting the core of the company. ### Think first, react second When we feel threatened, we look for solutions to protect us from that threat. That is a good thing. When we constantly feel threatened, it causes the need for *immediate* solutions to snowball, gain speed, and draw us away from our core goals. Here’s an example: John’s pipeline is empty, and his business has little to no online credibility. He deals with this by deciding to: - Build a website - Create marketing materials - Educate his list of contacts through emailing campaigns As he throws himself into these projects, he: - Reads about SEO (whatever that is) and decides he *must* spend time on it - Comes up with three marketing campaign ideas to send out *right now*, complete with new graphics, tag lines, and logos - Emails his contacts about each new thing he’s excited about A few months down the line, his pipeline is still empty. His contacts are confused and annoyed by his emails. His website doesn’t match his brand and isn’t gaining traffic. *Why?* Because amidst the excitement of finding all the solutions, and the solutions to go with those solutions, he failed to: - Start prospecting (getting referrals, calling leads, networking) - Define his brand - Set a clear plan and objective and stick to it John got sidetracked by the solutions, and not the goals. If your goal is to get tied up doing a million things that *might* help your business, but that are time-intensive and complicated, then go down John’s path. If you want to make substantial, reliable progress, slow down. ### Remember the core of your business Whether or not you’re in a moment of crisis, the core of what makes a business successful is always the same. Aside from having a valuable, reliable product: - Do you have a strong brand, complete with company values, vision, and voice? - Are you able to understand your customers’ pain points and needs? - Are you able to successfully communicate with your customers? - Do you have a healthy company culture? - Are you getting prospects and leads? - Are you spending time each day prospecting those leads? Focusing on the core needs of your business is the best way to get you through a crisis. While some pivoting may need to happen, if it’s done without tying back to a core need and goal, it’s going to fail. Or, at the least, waste your time. ### Don't get distracted The frame of mind that helps us deal with a crisis by homing in on what needs to happen *right now* to avoid failure is not sustainable. When you’re feeling the anxiety of rising waters, stop looking for the one small plank that will keep you afloat and start looking for higher ground. Create clear goals centered around your core business needs. Define how you will meet those core needs. Align each action you take to a core goal that meets a core need. Don’t skip ahead. Don’t get distracted. Keep moving, with your eye on the target, and your feet on the ground. Content provided by [Q4intelligence](https://www.q4intel.com) Photo by [file404](https://www.123rf.com/profile_file404) [Next post](https://novaurains.com/blog/2024-limits-announced-for-hsas-high-deductible-health-plans-and-excepted-benefit-hras) [All posts](https://novaurains.com/blog) [Previous post](https://novaurains.com/blog/take-this-permission-slip) ## Recommended For You [![](https://1652561.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/1652561/21017346_m_normal_none.jpg)](https://novaurains.com/blog/mastering-the-juggle-personal-and-professional-work-life-strategies-for-busy-leaders) 3 Min Read #### [Mastering the Juggle: Personal and Professional Work-Life Strategies for Busy Leaders](https://novaurains.com/blog/mastering-the-juggle-personal-and-professional-work-life-strategies-for-busy-leaders) [![](https://1652561.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/1652561/Breaking%20the%20Echo%20Chamber%20123rf.jpeg)](https://novaurains.com/blog/breaking-the-echo-chamber-how-similarity-bias-stifles-growth-at-work) 3 Min Read #### [Breaking the Echo Chamber: How Similarity Bias Stifles Growth at Work](https://novaurains.com/blog/breaking-the-echo-chamber-how-similarity-bias-stifles-growth-at-work) [![](https://1652561.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/1652561/Level-Up%20Dialogues%20Give%20a%20Boost%20to%20Team%20Ambition%20and%20Growth.jpg)](https://novaurains.com/blog/level-up-dialogues-give-a-boost-to-team-ambition-and-growth) 2 Min Read #### [Level-Up Dialogues: Give a Boost to Team Ambition and Growth](https://novaurains.com/blog/level-up-dialogues-give-a-boost-to-team-ambition-and-growth) ![](https://novaurains.com/hubfs/Novaura%20Logos/01819-Novaura-Logo-NoTag-WH.png) Novaura builds stronger businesses by giving you solutions that go above and beyond the usual numbers and quotes. With our solutions-based benefits approach, you'll be able to invest in your employees and meet everyone’s needs—and then some. [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/NovauraIns/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/novaura) - RESOURCES: - [Read the Blog](https://novaurains.com/blog) - [Effective Onboarding Checklist](https://novaurains.com/effective-onboarding-checklist) - [Guide: Self-Funding 101](https://novaurains.com/self-funding-101-a-beginners-guide) - [Case Study: Increased participation by 30%](https://novaurains.com/case-study-rebuilding-trust-in-ancillary-benefits-novaura) - [Case Study: Avoiding 120% rate increase](https://novaurains.com/case-study-employer-saves-over-221000-in-benefits-spend-novaura) **GET IN TOUCH:** ###### Novaura 718 S. 17th St. Temple, TX 76504 Phone: (254) 791-8221 Copyright © 2025 Novaura [Privacy Policy](https://novaurains.com/privacy-policy)  | Designed by [Q4intelligence ](http://q4intel.com) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/blog/stay-focused-in-times-of-crisis/#article", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Novaura" }, "dateModified" : "2025-09-05T16:54:28Z", "datePublished" : "2023-05-03T22:43:59Z", "description" : "The pandemic and times that followed were difficult for business owners, and the challenges aren't disappearing. Leaders must lead proactively to succeed.", "headline" : "Stay Focused in Times of Crisis", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : "1673", "url" : "https://1652561.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/1652561/Stay%20Focused%20in%20Times%20of%20Crisis.jpg", "width" : "2507" }, "inLanguage" : "en", "isPartOf" : { "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/blog/#blog", "@type" : "Blog", "name" : "Blog", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/#organization" } }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/blog/stay-focused-in-times-of-crisis/#webpage" }, "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/#organization" }, "url" : "https://novaurains.com/blog/stay-focused-in-times-of-crisis" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/blog/stay-focused-in-times-of-crisis/#breadcrumb", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://novaurains.com", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 } ] } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/#organization", "@type" : "InsuranceAgency", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Temple", "addressRegion" : "TX", "postalCode" : "76504", "streetAddress" : "718 S. 17th St." }, "alternateName" : "Texas Benefit Alliance", "areaServed" : [ { "@type" : "State", "name" : "Texas" }, { "@type" : "City", "name" : "Dallas" }, { "@type" : "City", "name" : "Austin" } ], "contactPoint" : { "@type" : "ContactPoint", "areaServed" : "US", "availableLanguage" : "English", "contactType" : "customer service", "telephone" : "+1-254-791-8221" }, "description" : "Novaura is an employee benefits and insurance agency based in Temple, Texas, serving businesses throughout the Dallas and Austin area. Formerly Texas Benefit Alliance, the agency helps companies design and manage group health insurance, self-funded health plans, and ancillary benefits while controlling healthcare spend and simplifying HR administration and compliance. Through a consultative, five-step process—analyze, identify, establish, implement, and review—Novaura builds people-first benefits programs that drive employee engagement, retention, and work/life balance.", "employee" : [ { "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/#person-tim-davis", "@type" : "Person", "jobTitle" : "President, Agency Principal", "name" : "Tim Davis", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-davis-9879012b/", "worksFor" : { "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/#organization" } }, { "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/#person-luke-davis", "@type" : "Person", "jobTitle" : "Benefits Strategist", "name" : "Luke Davis", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-davis513/", "worksFor" : { "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/#organization" } } ], "image" : { "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/#logo" }, "knowsAbout" : [ "Employee benefits", "Group health insurance", "Self-funded health plans", "Benefits strategy and consulting", "HR administration", "Employee benefits compliance", "Employee retention and engagement", "Ancillary benefits" ], "logo" : { "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/#logo" }, "name" : "Novaura", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/NovauraIns/", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/novaura/" ], "telephone" : "+1-254-791-8221", "url" : "https://novaurains.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "inLanguage" : "en-US", "name" : "Novaura", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/#organization" }, "url" : "https://novaurains.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://novaurains.com/#logo", "@type" : "ImageObject", "caption" : "Novaura", "contentUrl" : "https://novaurains.com/hubfs/Novaura%20Logos/01819-Novaura-Logo-NoTag-CC.png", "url" : "https://novaurains.com/hubfs/Novaura%20Logos/01819-Novaura-Logo-NoTag-CC.png" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "author" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Q4intelligence, LLC" }, "datePublished" : "2023-07-06T10:00:01+00:00", "headline" : "Stay Focused in Times of Crisis", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://insights.q4intel.com/employers/stay-focused-in-times-of-crisis", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Q4intelligence, LLC", "url" : "https://www.q4intel.com" } } ```