The energy leaders waste on worrying can be one of the greatest obstacles to their overall effectiveness.
The world has certainly given leaders plenty to worry about these days. Covid continues to impact the world, entire industries have been disrupted, and organizations have been turned upside down as a result.
And it’s been left to leaders to figure all of this out. No wonder then that worry seems to be at an all-time high.
The problem is that worry squanders a leader’s mental energy. Mental energy is one of the resources most vital to a leader, and yet when worry begins to take root, it is this very resource that can be so quickly depleted.
But the ability to overcome this challenge can be achieved, if you know these 4 ways to win the war on worry…
1. Understand the difference between worry and concern
Concern is action-oriented. In fact, concern is one of the fuels that drives effective leadership. It flows from a deep sense of dissatisfaction over a situation, and drives the leader toward problem-solving.
Worry, on the other hand, is merely hand-wringing negativism.
2. Recognize the futility of worry
There is no problem that has ever landed at the feet of a leader that has been solved through worry. Worry is wasted mental energy. It simply brings nothing to the table when it comes to a leader’s ability to tackle and resolve important issues.
3. Arrest “worst-case scenario” thinking
Much of worry flows out of assuming the very worst outcome of any situation.
For example, when results are below plan at a particular juncture, “worry” assumes that the trend will continue, that the plan will fail, that this will cost you your job, that you will therefore be unable to provide for your family, and on and on and on…
The mental discipline to recognize this thinking pattern, to arrest it mid-thought, and to refuse to entertain such scenarios is a tremendous energy saver.
4. Expect the best, prepare for the worst
This axiom may be slightly simplistic, but there is some truth to be found here.
Effective leaders don’t supplant worry with naiveté. And they certainly don’t adopt Alfred E. Neuman’s policy of “What, me worry?”
Instead they right-size the possibility of a negative outcome, and they put the necessary response plans in place.
There is no quick-fix, but if you embrace these strategies you can see dramatic improvements in your mental energy tank.
And over time you really can win the war on worry, one battle at a time.
