I was lucky enough a few years ago to go on a expedition to Morocco, learning desert survival techniques from Jonny Crockett and Kevan Palmer.
Our instructor gave us the first piece of advice on what to do when lost in the desert, and the gentleman in charge of transport, with over 30 years of desert travel experience, said that it was the most sensible thing we would learn.

When things go wrong, do nothing for a while.  Sit down, brew a cup of tea, have a cigarette if you smoke, or a bar of chocolate. Collect your thoughts for an hour or so, and come up with a plan.   

This sensible advice could save your life in the desert, preventing you from blundering off, leaving your vehicle and not finding it again.  But it usefulness extends to the other crises we face at home, minor or major.

Take a step back, relax and collect your thoughts and come up with a plan to move forward.