Did you see the slideshow “Nightmares in Daylight: The 20 Disturbing Fears Terrorizing Millennials and Gen Z Constantly“? The greatest hits—like societal stress, fear of the future, and social media infamy—make everyone’s short list!
But here’s an idea: In place of giving in to overthinking or avoidance, think of a surfer. They handle crazy changes all the time. The easy, smooth ride with no surprises? Well, that’s one in a million.
Their secret to handling any wave that comes their way is by combining physical conditioning with emotional and mental self-control. Likewise, you can stay in the flow once you learn how to emulate them. It’s as simple as putting some practical steps in place to support yourself so you’re ready when sudden pressures occur.
And here’s some good news: You don’t have to bootstrap your way to success. Instead, you can build on the foundation of the skills you already use. So, in the June series, Three Essential Work Techniques to Handle Change, we’ll discuss three qualities to help you thrive so you can give your inner Alarmist, Catastrophizer, or Drama Club President the day off.
First, let’s talk about the How technique of creativity. Being creative isn’t limited to people who paint, play music, or design. You can do anything with a creative flair, including managing your day to create positive predictability. Let’s take a step back before we dive into the details.
Harvard Business Review posed a thought-provoking question for working parents: Are pandemic-era habits still serving your best interests?
For instance, some people became adept at juggling daycare arrangements. However, maintaining that workaround is taking its toll on multiple fronts. Without permanent help, many parents are exhausted. There’s also a shadow effect, where some people wonder how they will ever manage the demands of full-time parenting, working, and close relationships. Sound familiar?
In place of keeping the status quo, author Daisy Dowling suggests reassessing habits that may have passed their expiration date. She stated, “Survival mode can lead to short-term thinking in a crisis. Give yourself permission to actively imagine the long term.”
Here’s the trouble I’ve discovered with workarounds: They work. Unfortunately, emergency fixes can be so effective that you never stop to address the root problem. Then constantly jiggering the next band-aid consumes your best, most innovative creative energy. So much for being able to kick back and imagine the long term!
Instead of trying to MacGuyver your day, try positive predictability. Positive predictability is a general feeling of calm and stability because you have a sense of what’s coming next. You have time and energy to envision where you want your life to go because you have the basics covered. Think of it this way: It’s easier to reach the mountaintop if you take a few power bars from your pantry!
Support yourself by making minor tweaks to your favorite productivity skills. Here are three suggestions to get out of survival mode:
And if you’re giving this technique the side eye because it seems dull or rigid, consider these benefits. Positive predictability helps you:
Creativity, by another name, is being imaginative, innovative, and inspired. So, use your natural creativity to retire workarounds that have served their purpose. Set up positive predictability and tell change who’s boss.