There's a lot of tension right now with politics and world events. And people feel uncomfortable when things are up in the air – especially big and important things.

This is true in life (maybe you're experiencing this right now) and it's also true in your career. Consider any of the following events:

  • You find out your manager is leaving
  • Your company is being acquired
  • Your function is doing a re-org
  • Layoffs have been announced
  • You're getting a new boss

And so many more scenarios. The first thought is, what does this mean… and what does this mean for me??

We can often let our anxieties around the unknown take over. We begin ruminating, maybe even losing sleep… and this, my friends, is no way to live life. So, what can you do?

Well, that's exactly the topic I want to tackle today. Namely:

How can you create awareness and shift to focusing on the things you can control

Let's dive in…

The reason we get so stressed out about elections and layoffs is rooted in the same fear – uncertainty and a lack of control. We don't know what's going to happen and we aren't able to create the outcome we want.

The truth is, a fair bit of this IS outside of our control. But there is still a lot we CAN control in our lives, and shifting our focus to this can make a huge difference.

The question is, how can you remind yourself what's within your control and start to shift your focus? Here are three tips to help you do that:

Reconnect with your purpose

In Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, he shares his horrific experience in a Nazi concentration camp. Frankl discovers that those who survived were not necessarily the biggest or strongest, but the ones with a purpose they wanted to live for.

Obviously, this is a much more intense situation than workplace layoffs, but we can learn from Frankl's observation. Although it can be easy to get frustrated or even lose hope when things are outside of our control, what is the greater purpose you are striving for? What's most important to you in life and for your career? What are the goals you had initially set for yourself?

The key is to realign on your purpose and goals, and ask yourself what you need to do in order to stay on track.

Actively shift your mindset

Suggesting you shift your mindset to focus only on the things you can control may sound impossible, but the truth is we have a lot of control over our thoughts!

The key to that control is mindfulness.

Choose and implement a daily mindfulness practice such as meditation or journaling, where you focus on the things that are within your control and release anxiety over the things that aren't. These types of practices build over time, so if you don't notice a difference within the first week, keep going!

You'll be amazed at the mindset shifts you can create over the course of six months or a year if you stick with it.

Look for joy in life

Look, sometimes work situations suck. Sometimes election outcomes are massively disappointing. But I promise you, there is joy you can find in your life.

What are some of the smallest things that bring you joy? Taking a walk through a forest? Baking homemade cookies with your kids (and of course, eating those cookies)? Reading a book in front of a fire?

Choose a few (or even one) of the things that bring YOU joy, and ensure you're incorporating them into your weekly schedule. Take notice when you're doing them, and be fully present.

Maybe your new boss is a jerk, but catching up with your bestie over tea is still pretty awesome.

At the end of the day, there will always be aspects of life that are outside of our control. The only thing we can do is control how we want to respond to them.

At work, in leadership, and in life.

PS. If you're curious to learn more about my 12-week program (with a full year of support) to get you VP-ready and thriving as a senior leader, ​book a call with me here​. This month only, I'm offering a $1K discount and some amazing bonuses, including 1:1 support! There's nothing else like this!

Until next time friends… ✌️💜

Katy