Keep Founder Anxiety in Check

🙊 Anxiety-driven reactions

Do you ever notice yourself responding emotionally or defensively to questions or feedback? That's a telltale sign that your behavior is being driven by anxiety. It's normal to be worried about big responsibilities, but when you act out of fear, it can be toxic for your team.

Here are three easy steps you can use in the moment to keep your worries at bay.

1. Get out of autopilot 🧑‍✈️

Recognize when you get agitated and start by acknowledging it. Do you speak faster? Is your voice louder? Are you rambling?

2. Verbalize your emotion 📢

Acknowledging how you feel will help you regulate your emotion. Tell yourself:

I feel defensive right now.

If the situation allows and you trust the people around you, share it with them, too.

3. Do something that makes you feel better 🤗

Get a coffee, look out of the window, or go for a walk around the block. Sometimes it’s enough to breathe slowly in and out for a moment or two.

💎 See things more clearly

Managing your emotions when stressed is always a bit tricky. But try following these three steps, and you'll be more effective as both a decision-maker and a leader.