Staying Calm in Uncertain Moments
A QUOTE I’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT
“The state of nowness is available in that moment of squeeze. In that awkward, ambiguous moment is our own wisdom mind. Right there in the uncertainty of everyday chaos is our own wisdom mind.”
Pema Chodron, When Things Fall Apart
SOMETHING USEFUL
Like almost everyone, I’m anxiously—probably also fearfully—awaiting the election results tomorrow. There’s headline after headline after headline that gets me thinking about how November 3 may be the start of the end of the republic. That definitely doesn’t help having a quiet mind.
As Frank Costanza would say, Serenity Now!
And so, I searched for the word “uncertainty” in my leadership notes to see if there was any wisdom to help.
In Great by Choice, Jim Collins and Morten Hansen write:
“ …[S]ome companies and leaders navigate this type of world exceptionally well. they don't merely react; they create. They don't merely survive; they prevail. they don't merely succeed; they thrive. They build great enterprises that can endure. We do not believe that chaos, uncertainty, and instability are good; companies, leaders, organizations, and societies do not thrive on chaos. But they can thrive in chaos.”
That sounds good, but one of their suggestions is to have “productive paranoia,” and I only want half of that.
In Extreme Ownership, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin write:
“Regardless, leaders cannot be paralyzed by fear. That results in inaction. It is critical for leaders to act decisively amid uncertainty; to make the best decisions they can based on only the immediate information available.”
Their view about making small decisions and adjusting course with new information is definitely a helpful one for leadership. But I’ve already acted decisively at the ballot box, so I think I’m good for making decisions right now.
This line from Psychology for the Fighting Man was perhaps the most helpful:
“The bad moments do not come during actual combat, however, but in the time of tense waiting just before. As soon as the frightened man is able to go into action...his fright is apt to be dispelled or forgotten because he is too busy fighting to remember it.”
Ah, so taking action and then forgetting about the lurking danger is key. That’s good enough for me!
So here’s what I’m taking control over to manage the anxiety:
I’m setting an alarm to go to bed precisely at 11:02pm tomorrow night. It probably won’t be resolved, so there’s no need staying up to hear people argue.
I have meditation and exercise on my calendar for Wednesday morning.
Restocking my cabinet with high-end whisky, which is helpful for whatever outcome there is.
I hope your coping strategy is as effective! To America!
ONE MORE QUOTE FOR THE ROAD
“We have to find and rest in a community of love. That community doesn’t have to take any particular shape or form; it simply has to be genuine. It can be made up of family or people who hold similar commitments or those who make us laugh with full-belly laughs and those without whom we could not imagine living. Here genuine mutuality serves as the basis for a broader, more collective expression of mutuality necessary for a vibrant democracy. Ralph Ellison was right: “The way home we seek is that condition of [one] being at home in the world, which is called love, and we term democracy.”
Eddie Glaude, Jr. in Begin Again
FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE
I was the guest on the latest episode of the What’s Your Story? podcast. You can listen on Apple, Spotify, or other podcast platforms.
SOMETHING FUN
If you’re looking for someone to vote for, this guy has you covered.
Rick Astley picture
(Borrowed that from my friend Justin, and his Beyond the Uniform newsletter)
Thanks for reading! I hope you have a great week!
Charles
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