A cautionary tale (or is it tail?) for business leaders . . .
One Step at a Time
What's overwhelming for one person is a piece of cake for another. Take these steps for example. I'm ready to rock ·n roll. I'm well prepared- my daily retrievals in the park have me in tip-top shape and raring to go. Kat's looking at me like, are you crazy!?! Let's face it, both reactions are real and need to be addressed with respect and lots of curiosity vs. judgment (channeling Kat here).
Knowing how to deal with fear, anxiety, stress and overwhelm -yours and others is essential! I think Kat would agree that those 100+ steps are a great metaphor for the magnitude of what you humans are facing in this time of endless uncertainty. You are experiencing seismic shifts that will have inevitable aftershocks years to come. In the midst of these shifts, some people are thriving, others just trying to survive.
So, how can you help yourself and others thrive in this time of uncertainty and confusion? Here are some things Kat has found helpful:
- Give yourself a break- relax, get some fresh air, breathe deeply to get more oxygen to your brain. And, if you're really brave, do nothing for awhile!
- Clear your mind- get everything that's cluttering your mind down on a piece of paper and then let it go, for now. Really1 You've let your brain know that it's been heard so no more pestering you about it. You can revisit the list when time and priorities allow.
- Heighten awareness of your mindset -is it serving you? If not, time to reach out to someone who can give you a fresh perspective, help you see what you can't see and help you connect dots you may otherwise miss.
- Step back, regroup and figure out what"s really important NOW. After all, what was a priority a fews ago is probably irrelevant today.
- Shift your priorities - make sure they align with what"s most important now.
- Break things down into bite-size pieces - it's the key to dealing with overwhelm.
- Take action - Kat highly recommends taking a "Done is better than perfect!" attitude.
- Give yourself and others lots of grace as you step out of your comfort zone and into the land of new possibilities.
- Celebrate every success - no matter how small!
Last, but not least ...