Weaken the Grip of Worry

With the recent racial uprisings and the growing Black Lives Matter movement, it’s easy to be more anxious than usual nowadays. We worry about keeping our loved ones safe and our businesses viable. Life will definitely test us, but whether we rise boldly to the challenge or succumb to fear and fret, the choice is ours to make.

If you are feeling vexed by the trials of life, try these tips to weaken worry’s grip:  

1. Mind your time zone: Anxiety and worry are fixated on the future. Instead of stressing about tomorrow, live at the crossroads of Here and Now. Break the hold of irksome angst by focusing on the next twenty-four hours. Literally, live one day at a time.

2. Tabulate the times your worries have come to fruition: Actually running the numbers helps you realize that most of the things we worry about do not, in fact, occur. So why waste treasured time and energy on things that won’t even happen?

3. Fact-check your thoughts: People troubled by uneasiness often blind themselves to positive points of view; they become bound by a negative mindset. To allay an obsession with worst-case scenarios, create a question checklist. It’s a handy tool to help you put things in perspective. When worry permeates your peace of mind and you start feeling overwhelmed or anxious, ask yourself questions like, “Is there a reason to believe something is wrong?” “What evidence exists?” “Could I be blowing this out of proportion?” The longer your list, the more your thoughts will become realistic and reassuring. There’s a similar technique I use frequently; it too floods your mind with logic to flush out negativity. To avert your attention from emotions and stressful what-could-be’s, focus on facts. Review this weekend’s schedule in your head, recall what you ate yesterday, or do some mental math by calculating how much you’ll save on a new bedroom suite if you wait for the store-wide sale. All are welcome diversions for a mind that’s in emotional overdrive.

4. Clarify your concerns: Vague fears are like a gnawing noise you can’t seem to quiet. To ease your apprehension, pinpoint precisely what is bothering you. As worrisome thoughts assail you throughout the day, record exactly what is bugging you. Once you’ve written your worry, go about your day. And then, rather than letting anxious thoughts nag you all day, designate a “worry time” in which you confront all issues on your list. Review the list, and if an item is still bothering you, create a plan to address it. To make the most of your “worry time,” set a consistent time and place for it each day. 

5. Refrain from reading minds: It is a futile exercise. Trying to guess others’ thoughts rouses unfounded worry. We often assume they are harboring ill sentiments toward us; they are angry, upset, or unamused by something we have said or done. In reality, they think about us much less often than we imagine because they have their own issues to manage. 

Worry and mild anxiety are a normal part of life. We all experience them at some point. But when we fixate on fears about our future, we rob ourselves of the blessings of today.

The Ease & Flow Leadership Academy (EFLA) formally launch on Juneteenth to celebrate the numerous accomplishments of African-Americans. It was a very special day with our trainers, consultants, and learning and development specialists sharing how the courses were designed with you in mind. We pray that this platform will be a positive contributor to your career, personal, and business goals. The EFLA has a growing number of resources that can help you face your future with confidence and ease and flow. 

Sending blessings and well wishes. 

Sophia