Finding a Safety Net
With what seems like a world raging out of control and uncertainty fueling the fire, multitudes of people are dealing with high levels of stress and anxiety. However, fear is the largest contagion that we are confronted with.
With what seems like a world raging out of control and uncertainty fueling the fire, multitudes of people are dealing with high levels of stress and anxiety. However, fear is the largest contagion that we are confronted with.
More than 4 in 10 Americans are struggling with stress and anxiety reports the CDC. With the volatile political landscape, the fires and floods and the unstable economy, we find ourselves living with super-high levels of uncertainty.
You’re ahead of the curve if you’ve figured out that it isn’t a black and white world. Unfortunately, not enough people have and are stuck in the “I’m right, your wrong” mindset. What defines the concept of “black and white” is when a person is so painfully handcuffed to their personal beliefs that they refuse to open their mind to entertain another’s point of view. A closed mind is at the core of every problem that confronts us.
Be honest. How many times have you said, “Someday, I will…”? How many incomplete projects do you have lying around? How many ideas fill your head but never see the light of day? What about promises you made to yourself to take better care of yourself?
Yesterday I spoke with an agitated young woman in her 40’s who was highly disturbed by world events. Her state of mind was affecting her professional and personal life. She was fearful and anxious to find immediate solutions to global challenges. She knew her thoughts were unrealistic but obsessively dwelled on them.
Hundreds of years of deep-rooted sadness, hopelessness and rage is being transformed into an empowered mindset that will no longer tolerate abuse. It demands justice, accountability and respect. The collective will of the people has spoken and will continue to speak out. Ultimately it will win for external power is no match for internal power.
With the many tough challenges we’re faced with – personally and globally – it’s easy to let fear overshadow our lives. Yet, there is one thing that can lift you up and beyond them.
A pivot is what we need right now – personally and collectively. We need to move from fearful feelings and the negative images it produces to feelings of reverence and respect. Ask yourself which is more healing and calming?
To meet the demands and challenges of 21st century, self-aware leaders are needed. That means leaders who have the willingness to look at their strengths and weakness. Not easy for a leader with a dominant ego or a fast-track lifestyle.
Whether you self-lead or head a Fortune 500 company, leftovers from your past can trigger you. They often surface in our most vulnerable moments. Let me explain…