Diversification in Action
Outrunning the S.O.B.
We know that a trusted method to fight stress, overwhelm and burnout is to diversity our lives by having more than one support structure, many power initiatives and several career enhancement methods in place. (See our previous post if you missed it!) Yet, that sentence in and of itself may seem a bit overwhelming. Sorry, Harjot are you telling me that in order to fight stress I have to do MORE? That seems counter intuitive. You’re right, it is. What I’m actually saying is that instead of doing more, you should do different. (Overlook the grammatical issues and take a ride on this roller coaster with me for a minute.)
You’ve heard the saying: A moving target is harder to hit.
That’s the logic we’ll apply to fight off stress, overwhelm and burnout. That nasty S.O.B. rears its ugly head when you’re doing TOO MUCH of one thing, not when you pursue different interests and skills. Diversifying, like we’ve spoken about before, is a powerful way to fight the S.O.B. It’s like using a mixture of weapons and strategies instead of a predictable attack.
In case you’re still nervous, I’m not advocating trying 50-100 new things, or finding the latest and greatest tips and tricks. It’s just a matter of doing 3-5 things differently over a long period of time. So, what are these 3-5 things? What specific strategies should you be employing?
Woah there, not so fast. If I just give you a few “quick fixes” they may work for a while but ultimately fall by the wayside. The point is not which 3-5 strategies you employ, it’s that you choose them with care and focus relentlessly. The strategies are YOURS to choose, not mine to ascribe.
Making your own choices and being in control of your own destiny is a key factor in reducing stress and achieving happiness. Alex Lickerman, MD, writing for Psychology Today, puts it like this, saying “restrictions on our autonomy may lie at the heart of a great deal of our unhappiness. Studies show, for example, that one of the greatest sources of dissatisfaction among doctors isn't having to deal with insurance companies or paperwork but lack of control over their daily schedules.”
Whatever strategies or “diversifications” you choose to combat the ugly S.O.B. monster, they must be pursued persistently and with clarity. A true leader has a strong core, which we’ve discussed before, AND a clear vision. With these tools, you’ll find it easy to succeed.