LMA INSIGHTS: MAINTAINING BALANCE

When the stress response kicks in, you may lose all sense of perspective or even catastrophise, extrapolating what’s actually going on to events or consequences that haven’t happened and probably never will. Maintaining perspective – i.e. remaining rational and not allowing your thoughts to spiral – is essential if you’re to stay in control.

EXPECTATIONS  

Most of the situations in which you feel stressed or anxious are not especially bad in themselves; it’s your perception of them that initiates these emotions. Often this is because your expectations, of yourself, others or the situation were simply too high or even completely unrealistic. Reassessing those expectations can help you to recalibrate and see things in a new light.

PIECING IT TOGETHER

One way to regain some balance is to take a step back and examine what really happened. Could you see it in a different light? Are there positives that you didn’t spot at first that you could take comfort in or negatives that you and your team might learn from? Think also about whether any mistakes or weaknesses will be easy to rectify and how you might go about that. Balance and perspective will return when you start to form a picture of how the situation arose and where you can go next.

GRATITUDE AND ENJOYMENT

It’s important to remember that however bad things feel, there’s still much to be grateful for, and for many people that will include the fact that they are working in a field or profession they love. In fact, it is when we feel most passionate about things that we take failures or disappointments the hardest. Remind yourself of everything you have to feel grateful for and it will force the negatives out of focus.

LOOK DOWN

Often when we’re disappointed or feeling low it’s because we’re comparing ourselves only to those who have more or who have achieved something better. Remembering those who have less than you or who have greater problems to deal with is important if you’re to regain some perspective. Remind yourself, too, of how far you’ve come and use your past as a point of comparison, rather than what could have been.

TAKE A BREAK

In order to think clearly and consider all angles to a problem or situation it can help to put some distance between you and it. Step away for a while, think about something entirely different and allow your brain chemistry to settle back to normal. A change of scenery should enable you to return with a more rational and balanced mindset and a fresh outlook on things.

IDENTITY

If your identity is founded only on your profession, you are in a fragile position should your confidence in that foundation take a bashing. It’s important to remember that you are more than your job and you have a number of important roles, from parent to mentor to friend. Remind yourself regularly of the importance of that life balance and take strength from it when you feel you have failed or been failed in one area.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Having a varied and full life away from your job can do wonders for your mental and emotional wellbeing. This, in turn, can improve your response to, and performance under, pressure as well as other skills such as empathy and decision making. Avoid being consumed by your field of work by making time for other things that you enjoy, whether that means doing a hobby or a challenge you’ve set yourself or simply spending time with friends and family.

LOOK BACK

Drawing on your bank of past experiences is essential when trying to restore some balance and perspective in a difficult situation, because it’s likely you’ve been through something similar and come out the other end, possibly stronger as a result. It’s also helpful to remind yourself that, however bad things feel right now, it’s not the first time a situation like this has arisen and it won’t be the last.

GET ANOTHER VIEW

Seeking out alternate views can help to separate fact and reason from the things that may taint your decision making and responses, such as the physiological response and unconscious bias. Aim to take on board the views of people you trust and respect from a wide spectrum of genders, ages, backgrounds and levels of experience.