When All You See Are Problems, It’s Time For A Reset
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”
~ Henry Ford
Losing Control Again
I felt like my head was going to pop. Uncontrollable frustration, frozen thoughts, the desire to take action, but not sure where to go first. The problem was, I’m not even sure if this was a crisis, or me seeing the sky falling and making it bigger than it needed to be.
As I prepared to go on the warpath, a colleague of mine took me aside and asked if I could talk. She had become close as the two of us shared similar roles in different parts of the organization. By now, she had me figured out; she was adept at reading people.
As she sat me down, she reminded me that I had to get better at choosing my battles. Not every problem was a problem for me to solve, and not every problem was truly a problem. She had the courage to remind me that my tendency to react quickly and strongly was going to burn me out, and likely burn bridges too.
She was right. Hindsight is 20:20, and I recognize in myself how the wiring can start to short circuit when I perceive trouble. Another colleague and I were recently discussing this shared trait, and we had a laugh; we’re not doing heart surgery, we’re selling products to consumers.
We can create problem monsters where none exist, yet overlooking our blind spots can equally allow these problem monsters to grow.
If any part of my story resonates with you, let’s work through some solutions and ideas together to better prepare ourselves to lead more gracefully and capably when we feel some part of our values have been offended, a problem is emerging, or we’re not managing our own personal emotions and frustrations well.
When that moment first starts to creep in, the blood starts to boil, the anxiety arises, the WTF-ness shows up. This is moment zero. Can you disrupt yourself right there and then?
- What am I dealing with?
- Is this really as serious as I think?
- Have I gathered all the information I need to truly grasp the scope of this?
Let’s Apply Some More Tactics to Take Back Control:
Go for a Reality Check:
Share your thoughts with a trusted colleague or mentor to get an objective perspective on the situation. They might offer insights that could challenge your initial perceptions.
Take a Breath:
Incorporate mindfulness and breathing exercises into your routine. When faced with a potential problem monster, taking a moment to breathe can provide clarity and prevent impulsive reactions.
Get Ahead of It:
Develop a habit of proactively identifying potential challenges before they escalate. This foresight allows you to address issues more calmly and strategically.
Have a System:
Create a system for prioritizing problems based on urgency and impact. This helps you focus your energy on issues that genuinely require your attention.
Don’t Forget Where You’ve Come:
Reflect on past situations where you may have overreacted. Use those experiences to refine your approach and build resilience for future challenges.
Closing Thoughts:
"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."
~ Albert Einstein
Remember, addressing these moments with a mindful and proactive approach can lead to more effective problem-solving. By disrupting yourself at moment zero, understanding the situation, and taking strategic steps, you prevent potential challenges from growing into formidable obstacles that might derail you from your path. Stay in control and don't let problem monsters take over, ensuring a smoother journey in both your life and leadership.
