Have you ever awakened in the night from a restless sleep, heart pounding? You can just reflect on your latest dream for clues as to why you feel so anxious. Or you could think back on the past few days’ events, looking for a reason for your fretfulness.
While you could land on one or two explanations for your distress, you may need help finding a clear answer.
In an age of increasing uncertainty and complexity, anxiety is an emotion many wrestle with regularly. And the stakes for leaders, especially those advocating for long-term change, can feel incredibly high.
While various coping mechanisms and strategies exist for alleviating anxiety, one stands out: having a clear sense of purpose.
Reducing Anxiety Through Purpose
Purpose is more than just a lofty ideal; it’s a mental framework that helps you make sense of the world around you.
Your purpose reduces the negative impact of stressors, according to a study conducted by a group of behavioral scientists reported in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. The study concluded that people with purpose experienced more positive feelings and, when stressors are present, fewer negative feelings and physical symptoms.
A compelling purpose can help you shift attention away from anxiety-inducing uncertainties and focus instead on activities and outcomes you find fulfilling. This redirection can reduce stress and anxiety levels significantly.
Anxiety from Choice Overload
Faced with too many options, we can become paralyzed because our brains can’t evaluate all the possibilities thoroughly. We experience the anxiety that comes with “choice overload,” according to Charles Chafin, author of an article in Psychology Today.
We can spend excessive time and energy making decisions in our world today. We can get overwhelmed easily when presented with many alternatives, and the subsequent paralysis damages our mental health, according to The Decision Lab.
However, a keen sense of purpose can serve as your filtering mechanism. Knowing what truly matters to you helps you prioritize your responsibilities.
In a world of distractions and pressures, a sense of purpose can help you decide where to invest your time and energy, reducing the anxiety of too many choices.
Alignment of Values for Emotional Consistency
One of the often overlooked aspects of anxiety is the psychological discomfort you feel when your values and actions don’t align. Using your purpose as your guide, you can gain a sense of internal consistency that alleviates this source of anxiety.
Social pressures, self-doubt, and even inconvenience can lead to a disconnect between our values and behaviors, according to Bradley Hook in an article published by The Values Institute. However, clarity around what is most important to you can give you the courage to overcome these predicaments.
A Sense of Control in an Uncertain World
Your sense of purpose helps you experience more optimism, hope, and life satisfaction, claims Elaine Shpungin in a recent Psychology Today article.
Purpose in action means you set goals and plan for the long term. Hence, you have a roadmap for your life, including your career. This sense of direction can offer feelings of greater control and self-efficacy, both crucial for reducing anxiety.
Self-efficacy is the self-confidence that you can manage situations and succeed. It is related to self-esteem, and the belief that you can master many challenges.
Social Support and Community Building
Community building is essential for our well-being, says Tracy Bower in a Forbes article. Through community, we realize how our efforts contribute to the bigger picture and get a sense of meaning beyond our day-to-day existence.
A significant purpose often leads us to a network of like-minded individuals who offer emotional and psychological support. They become our community, alleviating feelings of isolation and related anxieties.
Anxiety is an inevitable part of life, especially in roles that demand a great deal from you emotionally and intellectually. However, a strong sense of purpose can serve as your lifeline.
A clear purpose gives you confidence that your role in life is more significant than the stressful challenges you face. Rememer this:
“Enlightenment is when a wave realizes it is an ocean.” – Thich Nhat Hanh.
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