Reducestress

In the past weeks when we all have experienced the Corona pandemic in many different ways. There have been changes and new challenges almost every day. All we know is that this is a situation that no one have experienced before, no one has the correct answer – there is a lot of uncertainty.

This is the time where it is even more important that you as a leader stay calm, inspire and motivate your staff. Here you will get some advice how you can do.

What we know from research:

  • Uncertainty creates worries and frustrations
  • Our brain looks for certainty, but when it doesn’t find it – it creates STRESS
  • Our brain wants structure, something to focus on

Many of us may experience during ”Corona times”  worries and frustration due to uncertainty about a lot of things. It may be worries about my familiesmy job, what will happen to my company, the economy – how will the future be. Now – we start to get worried about how will it be to come back to work….

I have no control!

Uncertainty creates stress – it is natural 

Our brain is designed to support us to survive and to warn us for danger. When we are not in control, the brain reacts as we are facing some sort of danger. It causes a reaction: some may show confusion, denial while others feel excitement but selfcentered. Others might experience anxiousness, frustration, a feeling of lonlyness and maybe even depression. This is normal – it nothing wrong with you.

In coaching we refer this reactions – warning us for danger  – to as a ”monkey mind chatter”. But this is not who you are!

You may show up as someone you really don’t want to be – angry, frustrated, impatient, using harsh words…even to your loved ones. This state of mind may even cause body pains , and a sense of being a  victim – feeling sorry for yourself.

Our brain is an expert on focusing on the negative – you can find lots of research on this, about negativity bias. We also know that what you focus on is growing.

You as a leader is also human and may of course also experience the worries and anxiety. The worst is, if you are stuck in the doubts and worries and get paralysed. People will look at you and this anxiety will spread throughout the organisation.

This is how you can do to stay calm :

1) Observe
What are you experiencing, whithin yourself?
What are you most anxious about?
Does it serve you?
What is the worst about it?

2) Change focus
Find another focus that is more important and is serving you better towards you goal.
What is most important?
What are you grateful for here and now?

3) Take small sweet steps

A normal mistake is to trying too much. Even the smallest action in the physical reality will support you to move forward and make it happen. Start with something that you can control and actually do it. Create your own certainty and structure.

It may seem simple – but it may also create a feeling of ” its easy said but hard to do” ( its the monkey mind chatter that is disturbing again).

Remember it happens to all of us – we can get stuck…(its our brain)

But we can learn to control our brain – show your brain that you are in control.

4) Take support

Support can come from your loved ones, your colleagues, a friend or your coach.
In coaching we provide you with support to train your brain and overcome the frustrations and shift focus to more energy and creativity.

Do you want to learn more about how you can do to overcome the emotional barriers and move through the faces of change 1) Ending/let go 2) Neutral zone 3) New beginning.

Click here and read our guide

Guide for Leading Change 

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Catrine Berndtson | catrine@gronalinsen.se

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   Written by Catrine Berndtson