Stressed? Try this circuit breaker
I am hearing from many professionals in a variety of organizational settings that the cumulative wash out effects of uncertainty, loss of control, immense organizational shifts, and staff changes over the past couple of years have helped drive burnout and exhaustion to an all-time high. Many folks are reporting feeling a great deal of stress and overwhelm in their personal lives as well. Add another layer of intensity from witnessing the events happening around the world and things get even more muddled.
Having all these thoughts and worries swirling around in your mind can be draining and can have a detrimental effect on your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. The great news is there are many ways to shift this. The following strategy is one of them.
The following six questions are designed to assist you in breaking this pattern of thinking and interrupting your emotional response to allow for greater clarity and perspective. The questions also propel you to create space for new solutions, opportunities, and next best action steps to take.
For best results, take a pen and a piece of paper and divide the paper into two columns. At the top of each column, you will write one question. The two questions are designed to work as a pair. For example, at the top of the column on the left side write “What’s mine to own in this situation?” and at the top of the column on the right side write “What’s not mine to own in this situation?”
Allow your answers to the questions to flow. No editing; no overthinking. Capture what first comes to mind.
Going analogue (putting pen to paper) for this exercise is a great way to get all your thoughts out, organize them, and see them from a different angle. All of which will help to decrease stress and create more ease.
6 Pairs of Questions to Break the Pattern of Stress and Gain Perspective, Clarity, and Empowerment
- What’s mine to own in this situation; and what’s not mine to own in this situation?
- What’s my responsibility here; and what’s not my responsibility here?
- What’s mine to do; and what’s not mine to do?
- What’s mine to say; and what’s mine not to say?
- What’s mine to care about; and what’s not mine to care about?
- What’s in my control; and what’s not in my control?
Following this you may consider asking: Given what you captured on the left side, what might be your next best action to take? What other options or solutions have emerged?
Given what you wrote on the right side what can you do to let it go? Who else needs to be aware and involved?
It’s okay to own what is yours to own; do what’s yours to do; care about what’s yours to care about. That’s enough.
As organizations are re-emerging in a post-pandemic world, many are looking for new ways to reinvigorate their teams, foster resilience, and enhance psychological safety. Our fall 2022 training offerings can assist and deliver on these items. Contact Sara@sarawegwitz.com for more information.
