Abandon the expectations and you’ll be free. Free to rest, free to heal, and free to create a life that aligns with your authentic goals. Anxiety is a response to expectations that are resounding in your mind, crowding the thoughts that desperately want to evolve in to brilliant ideas. Sometimes, it’s difficult to dream because it’s difficult to sleep and it’s difficult to sleep because the expectations induce anxiety. Lying awake replaying decisions that haunt you won’t lead to an billion dollar idea or brainstorming breakthrough. Trust me.
Anxiety untreated introduces exhaustion which leaves dreams deferred to become little unchecked boxes on a list of things that you meant to do but couldn’t find the strength to complete. There’s a better way to get where you’re going. And, while I’m no doctor, I am a survivor.
I want you to get there, to taste the sweetest success, without the exhaustion that often accompanies ambition.
Step One: Sleep More. Regardless of what you’ve heard and in spite of what they’ve told you, rest is the gateway to the most awe-inspiring moments of your life. It is in the quiet moments that you’ll find the energy to imagine a life of wealth and opportunity. I have never met a person suffering from burn out who effectively inspires their team or serves as a healthy leader and friend.
Step Two: Stop asking judgmental people for advice. Sometimes, the people you hope will help you are not equipped to help you heal. They’re not effectively dealing with their own issues so how could they possibly help you navigate your personal emotional obstacle course? Find the courage to express yourself to someone who is healthy enough (and certified) to hear you and, more importantly, encourage you as you do the work required to get through this difficult time.
Being ambitious is only impressive and admirable if you’re healthy enough to enjoy the journey. Focus on one moment, one step, one task at a time. Those who tell you to blindly create a career forecast for the next 5-10 years, are giving ancient and antiquated advice. Statistics show how fast things are changing in the current job climate. Nothing is guaranteed. The only constant is change. Know where you want to go without obsessing over the details. There’s no way to avoid the potholes, the detours, the delays, and the unimaginable conditions on the journey ahead. The only way to stay sane is to let go of the obsession with being in control. The details really aren’t up to you. The sooner you accept that, the healthier you’ll be and you’ll be free to design a life with limitless possibilities without constantly feeling imprisoned by anxiety.