4 Simple Questions for Complicated Seasons
/Guest Article by Zach Clark
Too much to do, too little time. Sound familiar?
For most leaders, end of year can be a stressful time. With mere days left in the giving year and calendars filling up with holiday celebrations and obligations, November and December can be tricky months to navigate.
It doesn’t have to be.
At all times, but especially during times of increased stress or anxiety, I try to operate with the mantra choices lead, feelings follow.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the pressure rising? Have you ever felt like you were so busy, but couldn’t get it all done? Oftentimes, this is a false emotion.
Here are some simple questions to ask yourself during seasons of heightened stress and overwhelm.
Do I have “undone” stress?
We are actually deceiving ourselves; pressure and anxiety is actually coming from the fact that deep down we know that we need to…
be spending more time with people face to face…
be sharing a plan with people in which they can invest…
be using our time differently in a meeting with the team…
be holding an individual accountable and challenging them on things to improve…
accept that we hired the wrong person in that role…
I’m suggesting oftentimes the stress we feel is the stress we create. What in your workplace is undone?
Am I filled or empty?
We cannot always control being around some things that are draining. This is just part of life, of certain people, of certain projects, and of certain tasks. Some tasks that we have to do are draining tasks.
That is why it is called work.
There are things that we have to do, but, if we are aware of what is energizing and draining this allows us to regain balance.
What lifts your spirits, puts pep in your step, and revives you? When is the last time you experienced it and got a fill-up? It can sound so simple, but simple to do is simple to forget. Recognize your need for self-care this week and act accordingly.
Am I blocking myself?
Are you putting off tasks that in reality are more doable than you imagine? Most of us really struggle with the reality of doing this – of standing in our own way. It is amazing how much can be accomplished when you call yourself on it and get out of your way!
Examples of this are follow-up phone calls or scheduling phone calls with people.
By taking ninety-minutes focused just on scheduling you get a momentum going, and you realize that, “Gosh, this is what I have been frustrated with and this is what I have been putting off!” So, am I, honestly, putting off tasks that are more doable than I imagine that they are?
Who am I talking to?
Are you talking to our Father or to yourself?
When I get overwhelmed, stressed, or off track, I find that rather than spending more time in prayer I actually start spending less.
At my unhealthiest, I find I put off prayer in order to spend more time doing the “important” things … just to find I’m missing THE most important thing – an active relationship with God.
My hope is by asking these four simple questions you alleviate stressors holding you back to allow you to advance God’s plan for your life forward! Dive deep and be honest with yourself as you answer. I promise it will be worth it!