7 proven strategies to thrive amid turbulence

It's easy to have a productive day when everything is going smoothly.

But how do you maintain focus during the tough times?

Remember, high performers don't avoid struggles better, they deal with them better.

So, as we dive into this essential conversation, reflect on the last time you had a rough day or a challenging week.

Let's explore together some key strategies to navigate these difficulties more effectively!

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Before we begin: Here’s what you might have missed last week

• In issue #24 of The Productivist, I shared 5 strategies to build your self-discipline.

• You learnt the discipline equation which explains why you lacked self-discipline until today.

• You discovered how to remove temptations, how to plan for contingencies and more! 

Click here to access the full issue.

Big idea #1: Struggle is expected. Your breakdown is optional. 

High performers don't avoid hardships better; they deal with them better.

In the end, your biggest success will come as a result of the decisions you make during the challenging times, not the easy ones.

Here's what 95% of people resort to in periods of turmoil:

1. Blowing it out of proportion.

• They cannot see beyond the problem.
• Their first instinct is to find someone to blame.
• They see the problem as a glaring sign to just give up.

2. Viewing it as proof of unworthiness.

• The problem becomes proof to them that they're never going to make it.
• They see the challenge as evidence they should’ve never started their business.
• In the end, they allow the struggle to define who they are.

3. Resulting in self-sabotage.

• Blame becomes their mission (blaming the team, individuals, and even their upbringing).
• Procrastination creeps in.
• They find themselves stuck in a rut.

Do not make the same mistake.

Instead:

1. Zoom out to see the big picture.

• Ask yourself “What’s the ultimate objective here?”
• E.g. If you want to resolve an argument in a relationship, do not even think of ways to fix the problem before zooming out and considering how you want this relationship to grow, first.
• Often, the broader view helps you realize the insignificance of the problem that seemed so big a minute ago.

2. Detach and reframe.

• Your worth isn’t tied to a problem.
• It is not a sign that you should give up.
• Swap “Why me?” with “I am built for this.” (h/t Ed Mylett)

3. Activate solution mode.

• Skip looking for a reason the issue happened and whom to blame. Save it for the postmortem. It’s not constructive now.
• Engage in productive solution-focused thinking.
• Ask yourself, “What’s the most impactful action I can take now to move the needle toward the ultimate objective?” (Applying 80/20 principle.)

Pro tip: Make sure to surround yourself with people who zoom out, detach, and focus on finding a solution.

Big idea #2: Control the controllables.

Instead of trying to calm the storm (which is out of your control), focus on calming yourself (which is in your control).

In any given situation, there are two things that you can control:

1. Your attitude

2. Your actions 

They go hand in hand because the way you choose to do as a response to stressful stimuli shapes the attitude you have towards it.

Immediate response: Self-regulation

If you don’t learn more effective strategies to navigate the stressors in your life, you will end up doing what we previously discussed:

1. Blowing it out of proportion.

2. Viewing it as proof of unworthiness.

3. Resulting in self-sabotage.

What tools can you use to self-regulate your nervous system thereby lowering your heart rate and allowing more blood flow to your brain?

The most powerful and free tool that you always have at your disposal is breathwork.

Try box breathing:

1. Breathe in through your nose for the count of 4.

2. Hold for the count of 4.

3. Breathe out through your mouth for the count of 4.

4. Hold for the count of 4.

Repeat the steps for 2-5 minutes.

Walking and exercising are also effective for immediate stress relief.

Ensure you have techniques for use during moments of stress.

Consistent practice: Healthy habits

Raise your baseline response to stress and struggle by focusing on foundational aspects like:

• getting more sleep
• better nutrition
• more exercise
• more sunlight

These practices will boost your sense of control over stressors and enhance your ability to respond to and manage stress better.

Consistent practice: Self-awareness

Identify common triggers of stress and difficulty in your life.
(E.g., setting unrealistically high expectations, facing excessive pressure, feeling isolated.)

Consider using tools like journaling, meditating, or engaging with a professional coach or therapist to delve into these issues and develop strategies to lessen their impact on your everyday life.

However, remember that not all stress is negative.

Stress due to poor management of expectations is not the same as stress as a result of operating at a higher level.

Therefore, it’s important to regularly reflect on your experiences with stress in hindsight.

Big idea #3: Get it out of your head.

Have you ever found yourself ruminating over a problem, feeling like it's the end of the world, only to discover that after talking it out with a friend, it suddenly seems much less daunting?

Don't keep the problem confined in your head.

As soon as you can, get it out onto a piece of paper or by talking to someone.

Socializing your problems is the most effective way to reduce the perceived significance of the problem, if not resolve it entirely.

There's no need to feel ashamed about speaking with someone. Everybody is learning as they go. Nobody has it all figured out.

However, be selective and use your best judgment in choosing the right people to talk to. Steer clear of those who may not have your best interests in mind. Remember, you can always talk to a professional coach or therapist.

Big idea #4: Adopt a role model mindset.

Especially during turbulent times, it is so easy to give up.

But before you do, consider this:

Someone is watching you.

• Your child is watching how you handle it.

• Your team is watching how you overcome it.

• Someone is always watching how you deal with it.

Never underestimate the extent of your influence on those around you.

Now it is up to you if you want it to be a positive or negative influence.

Whatever you do, be conscious of your behaviour.

Because whatever behaviour you project, you are teaching it to someone else.

What behaviour would you want to see more of in this world?

Lead by example.

Tiny habit: Deliberately do hard things.

Why?

When you avoid challenges, your growth stops.

And with no growth, your self-esteem starts to dip.

This loss of self-esteem triggers procrastination.

As you procrastinate, you become discouraged, particularly as you see others making progress.

This leads to a cycle of self-blame and resentment towards the success of others, culminating in a feeling of defeat.

Feeling defeated means losing self-trust, self-esteem, and self-reliance – all essential for overcoming these challenges.

So, how do you break this cycle?

The answer is to consistently engage with more difficult tasks.

It's not about succeeding in them every time; it's about trying your best.

Failing at something after giving it your all, and then trying again, is a powerful way to build self-esteem.

Recognize your improvements, no matter how small, from one attempt to the next.

You're getting better, not perfect, but improving.

Keep at it, and the results will come.

Then, it's time to raise the bar.

The Productivist Question

The first step to being resilient is to define what resilience is.

Whatever struggle you go through, ask yourself:

If I were resilient in this situation, what would it look like?

Maybe it is something that you need to accept.

Maybe it is something that you need to do.

Maybe it is the fact that you should just keep going and putting in the reps.

Maybe, it is falling into GOOD habits instead of bad ones.

To summon your best, you need to know what it looks like.

Keep this question on top of your mind next time you encounter a struggle.

If these strategies make you feel excited and prepared to encounter your next struggle, my job here is done!

If not, let’s continue this conversation on LinkedIn!

Have a beautiful week ahead,

Valeriya