With headlines screaming for your attention, political tensions at fever pitch, and uncertainty seeming constant, it’s easy to feel tossed around in a stormy sea.
And if you are anything like me – you really don’t like that feeling!
Many leaders share the same concern – how to navigate this turbulence while keeping teams focused.
The challenge isn’t just economic unpredictability; it’s the emotional weight we’re all carrying.
Today, I want to talk about creating your island of peace amid the chaos.
Our brains weren’t designed for 24/7 news cycles and endless doom-scrolling.
When constantly exposed to alarming information, our bodies respond as if threats were immediate and physical.
Cortisol spikes, our perspective narrows, and our capacity for thoughtful decision-making really tanks!
Our natural negativity bias makes us pay special attention to threatening information. It’s why one critical comment can outweigh ten compliments.
The result?
Many of us are living in perpetual stress, making catastrophizing and disasterizing our default states. That’s not good.
So here are a few ways you can deliberately and intentionally create some spaces of calm, even in tumultuous times:
- Practice Intentional Media Consumption Set specific times to check news and social media. Absolutely consider a “no news before breakfast” rule.
- Expand Your Perspective When catastrophizing, try the “10-10-10” approach: Ask how this issue will affect you in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years.
- Cultivate Daily Moments of Peace Even five minutes of mindful breathing or a short walk can reset your nervous system. (I just went outside barefoot for a few minutes, and did what I call a “shake out.” I shook out my hands, arms and shoulders and twisting from side to side. I looked like an idiot, but I didn’t care. I had been sitting at my desk for hours! Now I’m more relaxed.
- Seek Multiple Viewpoints Challenge yourself to understand perspectives different from your own. Maybe it’s time to stretch!
- Focus on Your Circle of Influence Channel energy toward what you can affect, rather than what you can only worry about.
If you are leading a team through uncertainty, remember, your emotional state radiates outward. By modeling calm leadership, you create space for others to do the same.
- Consider starting meetings with moment of gratitude, shifting people’s attention to what’s right, rather than wrong.
- Try a brief check-in. Acknowledge challenges while maintaining focus on what’s within your control.
- Celebrate small wins and recognize the need for both acknowledgment of difficulty and reasons for optimism.
Creating your island of peace isn’t selfish – it’s essential maintenance that allows you to show up as your best self for those who need you.
What practices help you maintain perspective? I’d love to hear your insights.
With appreciation,
JoAnna
