How to manage stress following the Wormhole Decade

The world is a chaotic place. In the wake of Brexit, stock market nosedives, widespread job insecurity and a loneliness epidemic, it’s not surprising that people today are much more high strung than they once were. Even with the best time management training, anxiety and overload can still be a problem for leaders.

In fact, the 2015 Australian Psychology Society’s Stress and Wellbeing in Australia Survey found that people are more likely to turn to dangerous behaviours, such as drinking, gambling and smoking, to manage their stress.

In this business climate, how can leaders ensure they’re not driven into the abyss?

In the aftermath of the Wormhole Decade

In a recent Kellogg Insight article, Dean of the Kellogg School of Management Sally Blount described the impact of the Wormhole Decade on today’s world. The decade refers to the years between 2000 and 2010, when the world changed so fast many people, including effective commercial leaders, are only catching up now.

The Wormhole Decade introduced us to emerging markets, hyper-competition, shorter product lifecycles and a technological paradigm shift. Today, we are living in the aftermath of this transformation.

With the increasing pressure of the 24/7 global economy on people around the world, stress and anxiety have become common in our workplaces. But it’s not just that, the effects are leaching into our personal lives too.

With no place to rest, many of us are burning out and struggling to engage. This is a common occurrence, so much so that Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report found that only 13 per cent of the world is currently engaged with their work.

Is stress getting the better of you?

Overcoming your anxiety and stress 

Psychotherapist, Business Performance Consultant and Author of “Work Makes Me Nervous” Jonathan Berent believes that while anxiety is an epidemic in the workplace, there are strategies to overcome it.

1. Recognise the triggers

Like all coping strategies, knowing the triggers of anxiety is the first step. Is your adrenaline kicking in? Are your hands sweaty? Would you rather leap from the window than undertake what is in front of you? If so, you may be experiencing the oncoming of anxiety.

2. Change narratives

One of the trends of anxiety is the critical monologue that occurs in our heads. In his book, Berent argues that after you recognise the triggers, you can begin to tap a nurturing inner monologue. Rather than calling yourself an idiot, focus on the logical facts about what is ahead of you.

Anxiety and stress can get the better of all of us. Fortunately, there are leadership training courses that can ensure you have the tools to overcome those issues. From proper communication to better time management, make sure you talk to the leadership training experts today.