Client Strategies to overcome anxious doing
Read about the struggles and the strategies shared by clients (3 minute read)
Photo by Benjamin Smith on Unsplash
Following my last post on the topic, I promised to share with you insights and feedback from people who resonated with the distinction between good and bad doing. I hope their insights will offer you some ideas to deal with the challenging context in ways that still achieve results but not at the expense of wellbeing. I hope too, that if what is reported here does not resonate with you directly, these insights will help you as a leader of people who may be feeling this way.
WHAT CLIENTS SAID
The pandemic has scuppered many people’s plans and required of them to refocus - or to use the much overused word - pivot in a different direction. Clients reported that recognising and regulating strong emotions of frustration and anger arising from this has cleared the way to focus energy productively and make good use of the time and space the pandemic has offered them.
Others reported feeling overwhelmed by the impacts and needing to be self compassionate. When the context is survival, what is required of us is different and recognising this, rather than pushing harder, can help to step back and set realistic expectations and not beat oneself up for “escaping” from productive doing.
Actions and doing that falls into the “not so good category” can be recognised as:
Restless anxious energy, especially noticeable when they found themselves with nothing to do - leading to a vicious cycle of compulsive doing
Filling in the gap or “taking the edge off” with too much work/sugar/alcohol/food
Escaping onto social media as a distraction as anxiety levels elevate
A productivity trap that leads to feelings of overwhelm and not good enough, seemingly fuelled by goal setting itself
Having shared the struggles, here are some strategies that are helping:
Learning to really see how full and rewarding and fulfilling my plate is
Letting go of goals and focusing more on intentions - yes I may do my Phd and write that novel but just not now
Breaking the cycle of busy anxiety with a 7 day ‘announced-to-others’ work detox
Writing my second book has helped me pivot in a different direction, but pacing myself and taking healthy breaks has been essential
Allowing myself some distractions without beating myself up
Being aware of the distinction between necessary survival techniques “that ease the sail in the wind” and avoidance of the opportunity to learn from the discomfort.
I hope you found these tips useful. Let me know. I am always eager to hear from you and see how I can help.