What to Do When Scary Headlines Take You Off Task

Every headline is bad these days, but if you’re a professional, the financial headlines can be especially triggering.

For example, I saw this headline on LinkedIn yesterday (just randomly scrolling through between meetings) and instantly my mind went to a dark place. A macroeconomic story became about me! Was I going to lose my job? Was my family’s financial security in jeopardy? It’s human nature to take news personally.

And of course, boom, there went my energy for the task ahead, and my focus. Anxiety kicked in. Nothing in my financial reality changed in the minute it took me to see the headline and scan the article, but nonetheless, my anxious mind turned on. My brain perceived a threat-- recession!!! job loss!!-- and my sympathetic nervous system activated.

I asked business psychologist Camille Preston PhD, how to stay focused when headlines like this pop up in your feed in the middle of the day. Here’s her advice:

Focus on What You Can Control

You cannot control the Fed, or Silicon Valley, or Elon Musk or even your own CEO.?

Camille says, “This is a time to focus on what's in your control circle. There is probably a lot more in your control than you might think. Rather than obsess about what you can't control, stay attuned to what you can control or at least influence.”

Honestly, getting focused again on the task at hand and doing a great job will do much to restore your sense of equilibrium in the world. Control what’s immediately ahead of you. Don’t think further ahead than the next hour.

Take Perspective

First, it’s ok to ignore the news for a few days (even if that means not checking LinkedIn -- sorry!). Camille suggests focusing on your intake levels, including how much information you're taking in about the current state of things. “Also, step back and get perspective. Are the current predictions for the job market and economy dire in comparison to the last thirty years or just in comparison to the last few years, which has been a unique time in history?” In the U.S the unemployment rate is historically low. Unless you work at a newly funded startup (and probably, even if you do) your ability to get a good job is higher than ever!

What Would Make You Always OK?

I admit: When I’m anxious, I like to make worst case scenario plans. If I had to give it all up, where would I go for a simpler life and what would I need to live a good life??

Camille says when we stay in touch with our values, the news can rattle us less. “Whatever you do, always focus on defining and aligning your values, building healthy habits, and establishing a solid ballast.”?

How would you define your values, healthy habits, and ballast?