It is said that the ability to stay focused is the superpower of today’s workforce. Thankfully, staying organized, focused, and productive come easily to me. But lately, it has been hard for me to focus and get things done. I’ve had to use all of the tools in my Coaching Toolbox to relieve my worry and the feeling of impending doom concerning the current political climate. And I am not alone. I see it daily in my practice. According to Gallup, most Americans disapprove of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The decision left many people feeling anxious about the future. Add to that the grim reality of mass shootings, according to The Washington Post there have been more than 300 mass shootings this year, it is only natural that many of us are left feeling overwhelmed and anxious. And yet, despite the concerns about the direction of the country and the uncertainty for the foreseeable future, it’s business as usual - we have to get up and give our best effort at work day in and day out.
Have you found yourself thinking, “just one more bad thing, and…” It takes great courage to work our way through difficult times. It’s not about suppressing or controlling our emotions but rather that we feel our feelings and find healthy ways to navigate the challenges. The key is to remain in touch with our feelings instead of burying them, and at the same time not let them overpower us. When it seems that things are falling apart, it’s time to really dig deep and find the inner strength to hold things together and weather the storm. The goal is to reduce stressful emotions and increase wellbeing. It is a never-ending process we cannot do perfectly. I know for myself; I can keep busy at work and carry on with my life. But when I least expect it, anxiety rears its head and stress creeps over catching me unaware. This feeling of emotional overwhelm can feel all-consuming. All of a sudden, tasks I typically complete with ease seem insurmountable. Small things can leave me on the brink of tears. How do you keep your life and career on track when challenges rock your world? What can you do when a major concern is pushing you to the limit?
The first step is to recognize the emotional toll fear, worry, and stress take on your mental well-being. The second is to prioritize self-care. Then from a place of calm, lay out an action plan with workable steps to get you through each day. Remember that even in our struggles, we can find the strength to power through, to bear the pain and withstand the hardship. And we always have the choice to stay positive believing that this too shall pass. Resilience is being larger than the obstacles, not only hoping things will be better, but finding creative ways to make them so, to dance in the rain. It doesn’t make the troubles go away, and not necessarily solve any problems, but it is a great way to empower yourself to cope and proactively and skillfully respond to difficulty. To get through a crisis is to focus on the things within your control. Focus on the choices that are available to you, the way forward instead of your worries. Here’s how:
Write down what you most need right now.
Commit to taking 3 actions that will help you get through this.
Repeat.
A few ideas to consider:
Spend time with people who uplift you. We tend to develop the same level of energy as the people we hang out with. At times when you feel a growing sense of emotional depletion, surround yourself not only with people who love you, but more importantly with people who will help you see the sun where you could only see clouds.
Spend mindful time in nature. Countless studies have shown that spending time outside makes us healthier and happier. Being outdoors breathing fresh air can clear your head and make the tension melt away. So, get out and pay attention to the beauty of the world in a focused and mindful way.
Spend time doing something for the greater good. When it feels like the world is going down the crapper, find a way to make a difference. You’d be surprised how empowering and stress relieving it is to just do something for the common good, for a cause that you believe in. Every action, no matter how small, is never wasted.
Giving up is the easiest thing to do. True strength is holding it together and working to make things better. Remind yourself to take the long-term perspective. Look beyond the current crisis to find the possibilities emerging in the horizon. Trust that as things fall apart, they can be put back together. Find your inner strength and your supporting tribe to restore your energy to keep fighting for a better tomorrow.
And be proactive in exploring tools, services and resources that may be available to you at work (your benefits such as an Employee Assistance Plan), your community, and online.
Whatever the crisis, you are not alone. If I’ve learned anything in my life, it’s that sharing our worries and asking for help will open many doors to the support you need and deserve.
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