OK, seems like another post where I’m inspired by Ryan Holiday. But I don’t think he’ll mind given I have an audience of two. 😉
Ryan posted a great video where he lays out 10 strategies for dealing with anxiety. It’s a beautifully short set of insights. Watch it.
- Focus On The Little Things = 01:39
- One step at a time. Followed by another and then another. When you feel overwhelmed, just focus on the first step. And give it your all. Do your best. When you string these steps together, you can accomplish great things.
- Practice Gratitude = 02:29
- Both are key words – practice and gratitude. With so many things competing for our attention, what voice deserves to be heard? “Focus determines your reality,” right QGJ?
- Practice – like we do for almost every other skill we’re trying to improve. You don’t magically wake up and dominate on the mound. You need to put in the time and effort to practice…
- Have No Opinion = 03:21
- In a society where we judge others and ourselves all the time, it’s novel to think we can just decide to have no opinion about something. It’s liberating to just acknowledge something without judgement/opinion.
- Stop Caring About What People Think = 03:55
- Not to be confused with being a selfish jerk… As parents, we’ve always emphasized being respectful, kind and thoughtful to others. But there’s a clear separation between thoughtful and allowing someone’s opinion to overpower your own sense of right and wrong. To allow others to sway you from your chosen path, pursuit of your dreams.
- Process Your Emotions = 04:23
- Recognize your emotions. Deal with them. Pay attention. Don’t suppress how you feel as it will only come back to bite you later.
- Journaling can be hugely helpful on this one.
- Don’t Suffer Imagined Troubles = 05:39
- One of my favorites as it’s painfully true. We suffer more in our imagination than in reality. All of the things we’re worried and anxious about – most never happen. Essentially, we’re volunteering to be miserable. Paying a debt we don’t owe…
- You’ve heard me paraphrase Mark Twain all the time – “I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.”
- This worry also comes at a price of not being present. We should do our best to prepare for the future, but we mainly have influence over the present.
- Choose Not To Be Harmed = 06:32
- “Don’t want to be harmed, don’t choose to be harmed.” – Marcus.
- Just like we choose how to respond to something, you have to choose/decide to be harmed by someone.
- We control the story we tell ourselves about what happened. Choose not to see yourself as harmed and you’re aren’t harmed.
- Go For A Walk = 07:19
- Walking is a magical way to relax, clear and focus the mind. Try to walk every day. Even better if you can leave your phone at home…
- Keep A Journal = 08:27
- Journaling can help clarify thoughts, process emotions, practice gratitude, set intentions, help tomorrow be better than today, etc. Just start. Even a single line. I like the Five Minute Journal, but anything can work.
- Grab The Right Handle = 09:05
- Perspective. There’s always a different way to view a situation. Choose the path which makes you stronger, better, more resilient. Be cautious of viewing something through the lens of being wronged, something’s unfair, etc. Choose the handle which bears weight and in turn will make you stronger for it.
It’s amazing how Ryan gives so much practical advice in such a short video. Just watch it and then re-watch it again and again a few weeks later. Pearls of wisdom that I’m so grateful to receive and share.
