In her last “Calling the Game” video of 2024, Bobbie LaPorte looks to the future with hope and optimism. She also offers some tips for building a “bank” of positive feelings and emotions to help you get through any stressful times that lie ahead.
Start Building Your Bank of Leadership Stress Strategies for a Successful 2025
When I reflect back on 2024, it had many challenges as well as opportunities, as we would expect, although it feels like the last four years, starting with Covid, have given us more than our share of curveballs.
But while I do feel fundamentally optimistic heading into next year, I also see the continued stress that these times bring to all of us, personally and professionally.
I have written in this space before about how stress activates our “fight or flight” survival mechanism that protects us from harm. But the kind of ongoing stress we experience when there is so much change and uncertainty is unhealthy.
Some studies estimate that we now spend upwards of 80% of our days in stress mode. That’s not good, and it’s not likely to change in this environment unless we do something about it.
So what’s the antidote?
Here are some leadership stress strategies
There are many ways to address and alleviate this type of harmful stress. One example I’ve shared here in the past is the power of sharing positive emotions, which activates the part of our brain responsible for creativity, inspiration, for thriving.
Expressing emotions like hope, gratitude, love and appreciation can act like “nutrients” for us: they positively impact cognition and brain structure; they build up resources you can draw on when you are not feeling so positive; and they can undo the lingering effects of negative emotions when you have them.
So when you face a curveball or some other unexpected challenge this year-end and into the new year – and you know you will – try considering the possibilities in that moment. What positive emotion can you substitute for fear, disappointment, or anger? Start building up your bank of positive, emotional nutrients you can draw on and get a great start to 2025.