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.
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 In these interactive gatherings, we’ll: 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.
Hey Reader, Life feels like a bumpy ride lately, doesn’t it? The past season has been intense while fighting for change in a world that so often resists it. For many of us, this has been one of the hardest seasons of our lifetimes. With shifting budgets, layoffs, policy changes, and bracing for the next shoe to drop, it’s been challenging to ground yourself in what seems like a groundless world. What you’re experiencing is likely complicated by our collective anxiety or a shared feeling of...
Hey Reader, It’s hard to believe summer is almost over and year-end is just around the corner. If you’re struggling to catch your breath as you brace for what’s next, you’re not alone. I believe we’re experiencing collective anxiety—a shared feeling of unease, fear, and apprehension as we enter a new season of uncertainty and navigate this heavy moment. The harsh reality is there’s never a "right" time for change, disruption, or challenges. But they are a natural part of life and work. The...
Hey Reader, Given the state of the world, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the nature of change. During the 2016 election, I was the communications lead for an association focused on ending HIV and hepatitis. There was the initial shock by many as the results were confirmed. Shock turned to anxiety and fear of funding cuts, program rollbacks, and the undoing of hard-fought progress. Then a sobering reality set in. The need for our work was still immense, and the work needed to keep moving...