FYI: Easing Your Team’s Election Anxiety


Hey Reader,

I know you’re busy as the end of the year approaches. And it probably doesn’t help that you and your team are anxious about the election. But you’re not alone.

According to the American Psychological Association, the election is a significant source of stress for many folks. And it’s slightly higher this year compared to the last two cycles.

So, I want to share three things you can do to help your team navigate the uncertainty. I write in detail about these strategies in my book How to Thrive When Work Doesn't Love You Back How to Thrive When Work Doesn’t Love You Back: A Practical Guide for Taking Care of Yourself While Changing The World.

Acknowledge reality. Navigating change in a healthy way requires acknowledging change is happening AND acknowledging your thoughts and emotions related to it. This isn’t about putting your head in the sand, pretending to be okay when you’re not.

The reality is we’re all having a human experience driven by our thoughts and emotions. Your thoughts and emotions are valid no matter what they are. Ignoring or suppressing them won’t make them go away.

If you’re not managing change, it’s managing you.

And if you’re not being honest about what you’re thinking and feeling, especially during challenging times, heightened stress and anxiety may impair your mental and physical health and your ability to be fully present for yourself and effective at work.

So, create space for you and your team to acknowledge this is a tough season. You don’t have to have an answer or solution. Just create space to acknowledge the messiness of this moment.

Focus on your sphere of impact. Most (election) anxiety comes from worrying about things outside your control. But worrying about ALL the things you can’t control is a waste of your precious time and energy.

Instead, after you make space to acknowledge reality, I invite you to identify what’s within your control and what’s not. You can start by asking these questions:

What’s in my/my team’s power to control between now and election day?

What’s in my/my team’s power to control regardless of the election outcome?

What resources do we have access to right now to help us take action?

​Remind your team about available resources and support. If your organization offers mental health benefits or programs like the Election Resilience Circle for Mission-Driven Professionals, now is a great time to remind your team about what’s available to them.

Remember, you’ve faced change and disruption before. You’re resilient. And no matter what happens, your mission remains the same because the world still needs what you have to offer.

Keep doing the good work.

All the best,

Meico

P.S. Concerned about how the results might affect the mission you’re passionate about?

You’re not alone.

Join a supportive circle of mission-driven professionals to pause, connect, and share self-care strategies.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 2-3:30 PM ET
Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 8-9:30 PM ET

In these interactive gatherings, we’ll:

✔ Pause and tap into our natural resilience
✔ Share practical strategies for navigating election season
✔ Craft a personalized self-care plan to stay grounded

Don’t face election stress alone—join us and leave feeling renewed and empowered to navigate the season ahead of us. Feel free to share this email and invite friends and colleagues to join you in this experience.

Register free at mindfultechie.com/circle


Did someone forward this email to you? Subscribe for free here!


Hello! I'm Meico. I'm a recovering workaholic who helps changemakers improve their well-being and increase their well-doing.

Subscribe to get regular insights on increasing your well-being so you can sustainably increase your well-doing in changing the world.

Read more from Hello! I'm Meico. I'm a recovering workaholic who helps changemakers improve their well-being and increase their well-doing.

Hey Reader, I hope you’re holding up well. I know it’s a busy and intense season. During times like this, many of us think the best way to make an impact is to work longer, harder, and try to get as much “work” done as possible. Otherwise, we feel like failures or that we aren’t doing enough. But real and lasting impact happens when we take time to rest, recover, and refocus. Slowing down and refilling your cup isn’t selfish or lazy. If you want to make a difference during this consequential...

Broken Heart

Hey Reader, I know you have a lot on your plate right now. If you're feeling the weight of protecting your sanity while navigating uncertainty at work and making sense of everything happening in the world, you're not alone. The fear, anxiety, and heartbreak from the headlines are palpable and may leave you feeling unsettled and questioning whether you're truly making a difference. This anguish has been front and center the last few months while training teams on Managing Change and...

Road Sign: Keep Moving

Hey Reader, Right now, I know so many changemakers like you are feeling the weight of the events unfolding in your community and around the world. It’s about more than headlines. The fear, anxiety, and heartbreak are real—and they may leave you feeling unsettled and questioning whether you’re truly making a difference. You’re witnessing the impact firsthand as you work hard to move your mission forward and support those directly affected while struggling to take care of yourself and your...