Curiosity Collective #016

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1 Thing I Am Curious About

What is the relationship between resilience, stress management, and sustainable high performance?

2 Quotes That I Am Thinking About

1. “A good half of the art of living is resilience.”- Alain de Botton

2. “Resilience is very different than being numb. Resilience means you experience, you feel, you fail, you hurt. You fall. But, you keep going.” -Yasmin Mogahed

Unraveling the Web of High Performance: Resilience, Stress, and Sustainability

Are you tired? Not just physically tired, but the kind of tired that seeps into your bones after months, or even years, of pushing yourself to the brink?

If you are a high performer, chances are you've felt this way more often than you'd like to admit.

We live in a world that glorifies overworking and undervalues rest, where "burnout" is seen as a badge of honor rather than a cry for help. But what if I told you that this mindset is not only damaging but fundamentally misguided? That there is a better way to achieve sustainable high performance?

Would you believe me?

Resilience, Stress, and Performance: The Unseen Connection

Remember when we used to believe that smartphones were a luxury for the elite few? And then came the iPhone, revolutionizing the way we communicate and access information? Similarly, in our pursuit of peak productivity, we've been fixated on the wrong strategies. We've focused on maximizing output, working longer hours, and pushing ourselves to the limit.

But what if the key to sustainable high performance lies not in doing more, but in doing things differently?

Adaptability and work-life balance are the two vital components that revolve around the nucleus of high performance. You see, adaptability is the ability to adjust to changing circumstances and bounce back from setbacks, while work-life balance is about managing our priorities and maintaining mental well-being. Both are essential for achieving and sustaining high performance without experiencing burnout.

Data Doesn’t Lie

A recent study found that 83% of US workers suffer from work-related stress, costing companies over $300 billion a year due to absenteeism, reduced productivity, and employee turnover. However, organizations that implement stress management and resilience programs see an average 23% increase in overall performance.

Would you rather be part of the stressed majority or the performing minority?

The Road to Sustainable High Performance

You're probably thinking, "Okay, this all sounds great, but how do I make it happen?" Here are a few practical tips:

1. Elevate your breaks:

   • Engage in activities that truly rejuvenate your mind and body.

   • Examples: Walk in nature, meditate, listen to uplifting music, indulge in a creative hobby.

2. Use the power of "yet":

   • Shift your mindset from "I can't do this" to "I can't do this yet."

   • See setbacks as temporary roadblocks and opportunities for growth.

3. Try out constructive procrastination:

   • Tackle smaller tasks related to a daunting project.

   • Make progress while giving your mind a break from the main task.

4. Engage in parallel thinking:

   • Gather diverse perspectives to solve problems creatively.

   • Encourage simultaneous thinking and collaboration.

Predicting the Future: Three Key Trends

1. Resilience Training: Organizations will increasingly incorporate resilience training into their programs, helping employees to bounce back from setbacks faster and stronger.

2. Stress Management: As more data emerges on the negative impact of chronic stress, companies will invest more heavily in stress management programs and initiatives.

3. Work-Life Integration: The boundary between work and life will blur, leading to a shift towards work-life integration rather than balance.

A Parting Thought

It's time we say goodbye to the idea of burnout as a badge of honor. Let's create cultures where resilience, stress management, and sustainable high performance are the norm and not the outlier.

It is time we put the 'human' back in 'human performance'

I am offering a special for subscribers of this newsletter. I have created a guide on gaining clarity and a guide on goal setting and am offering a 1-hour coaching call to work through the material and to help you gain clarity or create goals that will help you get to where you want to go.

If you are interested in coaching for clarity please follow the link: https://authenticallylead.gumroad.com/l/Clarity

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Stay Curious and Lead With Purpose

John

P.S. I will write for you about leadership, mental health, and/or employee well-being. If you are interested, please reply to this email with "writing."

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