Missteps in Management: How Overlooking Basics Can Amplify Stress when Schemes Go Awry
Missteps in Management: How Overlooking Basics Can Amplify Stress when Schemes Go Awry
Bronwen Sciortino, renowned author and simplicity expert, specializing in effortless methods to create balanced, content, and highly accomplished lives through her company, sheIQ Life Pty Ltd.
Problems occur, and they impact everyone. When it happens to you, it can feel like you've failed, disappointed others, and failed to meet commitments.
When problems crop up, stress kicks in swiftly. It starts with missed deadlines, last-minute cancellations, or unexpected events. Your heart races, stomach tightens, and everything feels out of control.
The nagging worries? They can back you into a corner faster than the issue itself. Your brain buzzes, trying to fix things, and the harder you push, the worse it gets. Frustration builds, and before you know it, it's not just about the issue - it's about feeling powerless.
Stress often magnifies small problems into major ones.
But What If The Issue Isn't The Problem That Fell Apart?
What if it's how you respond to it? The reality is, it isn't the scenario that causes stress to escalate, but rather how we react to it. In the heat of the moment, you might panic, overthink, and slip into routines that keep you stuck. You may find yourself thinking, "Why didn't I see this coming?" or "Will I ever get back on track?" These thoughts intensify stress.
In periods of panic, we often make simple errors that elevate stress into a full-blown crisis. These errors are common but can leave you feeling trapped, anxious, and overwhelmed. It's like adding fuel to an already burning fire.
The solution is not avoiding every challenge or having flawless plans - it's learning how to manage situations when things don't go according to plan.
So what are the common mistakes that cause us to spin out of control, unable to breathe, with self-talk that is critical and overwhelming?
Mistake #1: Seeking Control Over Everything
When life throws us a curveball, our first instinct might be to demand control over every detail. We begin to scramble to fix things - double-checking, micromanaging, and insisting on perfection. We believe, "If I can just get everything back in order, I'll feel calm again." However, control is an illusion. The more tightly you grip everything, the more things slip from your grasp.
Gaining control adds pressure, and pressure breeds stress. Your thoughts race, your body tenses, and what was initially a small problem feels like an insurmountable mountain you can't climb. You may spend hours dwelling on insignificant details while losing sight of the big picture, feeling more drained and exasperated in the end.
The solution is to recognize what is within and beyond your control.
Release the urge to manage every minor detail. Instead, focus on what's within your grasp and allow the rest to unfold. Accepting that some things lie beyond your reach is not giving up - it's liberating.
Mistake #2: Catastrophizing The Situation
When plans go awry, it's tempting to envision the worst-case scenarios. You start thinking about how this setback will cripple your progress. "What if this destroys everything?" "What if I cannot recover?" These thoughts amplify anxiety. Suddenly, what was a small issue morphs into a catastrophe in your mind.
Catastrophizing worsens stress because it detracts your attention from the present and drags you into a future that may never occur. Your body reacts as if the worst-case outcome is already unfolding, causing panic, frustration, and a sense of helplessness. It's like pouring gasoline on a fire.
The way out is to reconnect with reality.
Ask yourself, "What is genuinely happening right now?" What is the worst-case scenario, and how likely is it to occur? Most times, you'll discover that the worst-case scenario is highly unlikely. Ground yourself in the facts. When you cease to make hasty judgments, you regain control of your thoughts - and your stress diminishes.
Mistake #3: Overwhelming Your Mind With "What-Ifs"
When things don't go as planned, our brains might instantly plunge into a vortex of "what-if" questions. "What if I had done things differently?" "What if everything spirals out of control from here?" These thoughts may seem harmless, but they quickly multiply and overtax your mind. Before you know it, instead of tackling the present, you're swirling in a whirlwind of hypothetical scenarios.
This overthinking results in paralysis. You're too engrossed in the past or the future to focus on the now. The more "what-ifs" you pile on, the harder it is to take action, and the stress mounts. At the end of the day, you're immobilized by choices you can't make, as they're illusory.
The key is to halt the "what-if" spiral in its tracks.
Ask yourself, "What can I do right now?" Focusing on doable, immediate actions propels you out of your mind and back into action. Avoiding common mistakes that amplify stress enables you to take control again. Simple tactics, such as focusing on what you can control and cutting out time-wasting distractions, can help keep you grounded even when life becomes unpredictable.
Concluding Thoughts
Recognizing what truly matters and saying 'no' to distractions empowers you to take charge of your days. It's about eliminating the clutter and focusing on what propels you forward. Once you accomplish that, the pressure alleviates, and you can breathe freely once again.
Another method to reduce pressure is by figuring out how to surpass the swamp of being overworked. It's simple to think that you must handle everything, yet attempting to balance too much results in exhaustion. The solution? Keep it simple. Focus on what truly matters and let go of the rest. By breaking tasks down and handling them one step at a time, stress diminishes. You regain control not by doing more but by tackling what's crucial.
These small, straightforward adjustments can aid you in managing stress with tranquility and precision, despite any mishaps.
The Exclusive Business and Career Guidance Guild is an exclusive organization for prominent business and professional coaches.*Am I eligible?*
Bronwen Sciortino, in her role as a simplicity expert and author, might offer insights on how to avoid common mistakes that increase stress when dealing with unexpected challenges, such as seeking control over every detail, catastrophizing the situation, or overwhelming your mind with "what-ifs".
After attending a seminar led by Bronwen Sciortino at The Exclusive Business and Career Guidance Guild, you might find techniques for managing stress effectively by focusing on what you can control, challenging catastrophic thoughts, and refraining from excessive "what-if" ruminations.