Ever suffered through a nagging business or personal problem that gnaws that you?
Found yourself absently straying back to related issues to the point that anxiety level just keeps mounting?
Every now and again things just get out of control.
We’ve all been there. Humans commonly embrace such tortures; some chronically, many far too much.
The issue is how do we process and overcome these challenges in the least distressing way?
When such events overtake you, it truly feels like the end of the world. But, it isn’t. In the grand scheme of things traumatic occurrences are but passing unpleasantness and worrying serves little ultimate purpose. It’s best to simply remain impassionate, yet still methodically process events and changes away in a manner best serving your interests.
This is easier to say than do. So how do we proceed? Consider the following approach…
After each new upset (from incoming changes/news), just invest solely in time necessary to keep events going in the preferred direction available. This may take little or massive energy and need urgent or steady attention. Always do what must be done and when required.
The trick is to never give up on the most desirable outcome, ever, unless absolutely forced. Even then take care to morph existing situations and events toward the most preferential result possible. Remember that once an option/path is abandoned or neglected it often becomes almost impossible to recover that position later.
Letting go of that feeling in your gut can be achieved mentally. Focus on what needs to be done, do it and then relax till the next step/event occurs. If ever you start slipping toward an anxious state, randomly churning events, always first consider if there is a point that truly should be rethought. Give things a few moments to be sure there is nothing, and then cut off all pointless distress by focusing your time and energy elsewhere.
Such behavior doesn’t mean blanking out important factors. It means toning down the emotional intensity so it can’t permeate your whole life unnecessarily, accomplishing nothing but blurring your thinking. However, when that uncomfortable feeling actually is warning more careful thought is required, then think things through, unemotionally; confirm/adjust and then move on, again.
Legal and/or deeply personal events stick around and often cut us deeply. Similarly, all out-of-your-immediate-control situations are equally bad as they typically present no or few channels to make rational, speedy corrections and addresses. These things are painful for everyone to experience; they persist.
Do not let allow such things to dominate any more of your life and time than they must. Nothing is worth the distress.
The Xen of Self Discipline is “to eat when you eat.” The goal is to focus on one thing without distraction. Ultimately it is this which instills calm and brings clarity.
Strangely, we always learn a lot from disturbing experiences. Painful perhaps, but invariably valuable personal growth…. that which doesn’t kill me, etc.
So, when the worst comes to worst and you’re embroiled in such events, simply soldier on. Invest all the time and thought you must, but religiously take breaks to distract yourself, recharge your energies and preserve your ability to think crisply and effectively.
Great stress is commonly accompanied by health issues, both real and imagined. Breaks in routine, exercise and self-coddling can all help you regenerate. It’s essential you invest in and protect your health.
In the end, no matter the event, it will pass. Remember there’s always this certainty to lighten our load and help guide us through.
Ian R. Mackintosh is the author of Empower Your Inner Manager Twitter @ianrmackintosh