How to Stay Focused When the World Is In Chaos

Faithful on the Clock

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In this episode...

How to Stay Focused When the World Is In Chaos

https://faithfulontheclock.captivate.fm/episode/how-to-stay-focused-when-the-world-is-in-chaos

Episode 91 of Faithful on the Clock acknowledges the chaotic state of the world. We’ll look at how to stay focused even when surrounded by global or local turmoil.

Timestamps:

[00:04] - Intro

[00:36] - The importance of acknowledging how chaotic the world is

[02:25] - Tip #1: Make a list of your top 3 to 5 issues so you can look into more specific coping strategies for those issues.

[04:12] - Tip #2: Legitimize and own the issues you identify. Don’t let others convince you the issues are not important. Yet, zoom out enough that you’re sure the issue is as concerning as you believe it is.

[07:08] - Tip #3: Find some way to take action on the issues you’re struggling with. People tend to be more negatively impacted psychologically when they cannot take action.

[08:57] - Tip #4: Come up with if-then statements for the most likely scenarios with the issue you have (create some contingency plans). But also acknowledge that, because you are in God’s image and can tap His power, you have the strength to address things in the moment.

[10:46] - Tip #5: Stay in the present moment. Worry only about the one immediate thing you have to do and do that to the best of your ability, rather than worrying about the entire journey for your project or other tasks.

[13:30] - Tip #6: Set aside specific time to focus on the larger issues that are bothering you so they don’t mentally show up when you don’t want them to. Acknowledge when you might not be able to compartmentalize and be willing to take a break in those moments.

[15:12] - Tip #7: See the chaos of the world and your work as independent issues. The inherent goodness and value of your work are still present even when other problems crop up.

[16:31] - Tip #8: Limit social media consumption so you have control over whether you are in the mental state to take in information from different platforms.

[17:00] - Encouragement to reach out for yourself and others

[17:33] - Prayer

[18:13] - Outro/What’s coming up next

Key takeaways:

• The chaos of the world presents a large emotional and mental load for workers which should not be brushed under the rug. Acknowledging that turmoil can help us get better results and feel better as we work.
• Tip #1 — Make a list of the issues that are the most stressful for you so you know where to put your time, energy, and resources. Connect each issue to the values you feel are being violated so you can be clear in your communication about why you are upset.
• Tip #2 — Legitimize your identified issues. Others might try to gaslight you into believing they are not important concerns, but your feelings and thoughts are real. As a leader, use your emotional intelligence to be sensitive to the issues upsetting individuals on your team. Do not compare your worry to anyone else’s through this process.
• Tip #3 — Take action on your issues in some way, such as through volunteering, to regain a sense of autonomy and control.
• Tip #4 — Come up with some if-then statements that will help you handle the most likely scenarios around your issues. But acknowledge that you have the ability to pivot and handle anything you can’t predict, thanks to God and His strength.
• Tip #5 — Stay in the moment, focusing only on your immediate task. This strategy will help you from getting overwhelmed with the work to do as other big issues add to your worry.
• Tip #6 — Set aside specific time to address the issues you have so you have a chance to give those issues your full, undivided attention. This strategy can help stop your brain from bringing the issues up at less inopportune moments.
• Tip # 7 — See your work and the chaos of the world independently and remember that your work, which was valuable yesterday, is still valuable today, even though a big issue might also deserve attention. Keep good boundaries and avoid letting others convince you that the big issues they worry about need to be the issues you worry about.
• Tip #8 — Be intentional about news and social media consumption so you can be in the proper mental state to handle what you learn or are exposed to well.

• Wanda Thibodeaux's LinkedIn Profile

CTAs:

• Select the news outlets or platforms you will use as you try to cope. Set up specific times to engage with those platforms, rather than letting alerts drive you.

What’s coming up next:

Many companies are outsourcing to save money. Episode 92 questions when this is an ethical practice and guides workers and leaders through handling the outsourcing experience.

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