Doing nothing

If you want to get everything done today, you will most likely end up doing nothing.

If you keep your queue open to the latest request, you will most likely end up doing nothing.

If you force yourself to do a task when you are just not in the right mindset, you will most likely end up doing nothing.

If you put yourself at the center of a mass distraction, you will most likely end up doing nothing.

If you are asked to explain what you do as you do it, you will most likely end up doing nothing.

There are plenty of ways to do nothing, and arguably just one to actually achieve something.

Take control of your attention.

Holding back

Fear can hold you back, and it can hold back those who look at you for guidance.

As parents, more often than not our own fears fuel the “don’t do that”, “don’t go there”, “that is not safe”. Our kids won’t climb the tree, won’t walk to the grocery shop by themselves, won’t try that stunt with their bikes, won’t go in front of the whole class to present an idea. They are marginally safer, infinitely more anxious and fearful.

And since parenting and leadership are strongly linked, you look at managers and you see how much of their fears dictates their behavior and that of their teams. Better play it safe, please upper management, don’t say when things are wrong, praise everybody, and keep communication to a minimum.

Fear is an important feeling when we label it as such. When instead we avoid it, pretend it’s not there, morph it into reality, then it becomes a blocker for our progress and for the progress of those we care about.

It’s just not worth it.

Slow down

We have gotten used to fast.

We want the world to move fast, we want change to happen overnight, we seek shortcuts and opportunities behind every corner.

We lose sight of the 99%.

And when that feeling is stronger, the only real thing we can do is look inside and ask how we can slow down.

Sleep.

Exercise.

Meditate.

Connect with those you care about.

Put technology aside.

Get rid of dopamine hits.

Trying to change the speed at which our world spins is pointless.

Trying to change the way we perceive such speed is wise.

Reach out

When you are down, reach out.

Even if you don’t feel like it.

Even if you have nothing to say.

Even if you don’t know.

Even if your instict tells you not to risk it.

Even if you are sure nobody would understand.

Even when it’s pouring.

Even when you have been rejected before.

Even if they don’t care.

Connection might well be the single thing that will keep us afloat. Seek it and cultivate it. Even when you don’t feel like it.

Back on your feet

Fears build up within us. The reality is rarely as bad as we imagine it to be.

What is the worst thing that could happen? is always a very powerful question. We don’t need most of the things we want, and we don’t want most of the things we have.

Look your anxiety in the eyes and ask: What if I let it go? What if what I fear will materialize? What if the worst case scenario is what I will wake up to tomorrow?

I promise, more often then not, you will still be you.

And then you’ll have all the resources to get back on your feet.