Do you have a tendency to freak out? Are you a leader? Let me ask you a better question. What do you do to appear calm while freaking out on the inside?
I’d like to say that leaders don’t freak out, but that’s just not true. Leaders do freak out, but the best leaders have the experience and wisdom to navigate even the most difficult challenges. This either makes them stay calm through the storm or allows them to give the appearance of calm through the storm.
I’d like to share with you tips on how to appear calm while freaking out on the inside. These tips are in no particular order on focus on the appearance of being calm.
30 tips on how to appear calm while freaking out!
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Smile
Smiling released endorphins, even if it’s a fake smile. Also, it gives those around you a sense of peace.
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Walk slower
Walking fast likely won’t save you any useful time, it’ll just make you appear nervous and frazzled. People don’t like interacting with individuals who are constantly nervous and frazzled.
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Arrive early
Talking about being frazzled, do you know that person that is constantly late to everything? They’re also likely never prepared. Don’t be that person. Even if you’re not prepared, arrive early.
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Compliment someone
In the middle of the storm, give someone a compliment. Tell someone what a good job they’re doing or how you’re happy they’re on the team. Do it publicly, it’ll allow people to see that you have vision beyond your current crisis.
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Sit down and have a cup of coffee
Are you serious? Yes, I am. Coffee stimulates the mind, so take a breather and have some coffee.
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Don’t fidget, even if you normally do
I normally fidget, even when I’m not nervous, but many people see this as a sign of being nervous, so don’t do it.
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Don’t be short with people
There’s nothing worse than a person who snaps at others as soon as they’re under stress. I see this as a sign of weakness and an inability to control one’s emotions. I can also tell you that after working in surgery for years, the best surgeons are the ones who don’t snap at people when under stress.
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Laugh at yourself
Or at least laugh at the situation. Note, a life or death situation is probably not something to laugh at, but you’d be surprised what happens in an operating room.
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Don’t assume people understand you
It’s easy to gloss over details when you’re stressed, especially in conversations with people. Don’t assume that someone understands what you’re saying or what you mean.
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Speak slower
A key to getting someone to understand you is to speak slower than you normally would. It also forces someone to listen more intently.
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Speak softly
Another way to force someone to listen more intently is to speak softly, but only do this when you have their full attention. Also, learn how to command a room with your voice.
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Take the time to think through challenges
Nothing is worse that reworking, make an attempt to really think through things in order to avoid this.
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Be decisive
When you make a plan, stick to you and move forward. Don’t second guess yourself.
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Make as few unnecessary decisions as possible
When things really get crazy, don’t waste your mental abilities on what doesn’t really matter.
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Be grateful
Be appreciative for what you have, even the challenges.
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Don’t worry about what you can’t control
You could spend your entire life worrying about possibly getting a disease only to die in a car accident. That’s out of your control, so don’t worry about it. Just about everything is outside of your control, so don’t worry.
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Don’t worry about what you can’t influence
You can influence a lot, some you can’t. For those life or work decisions that you can’t influence, just go with it.
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Don’t worry about what will likely not happen
Beyond what it outside of your control or influence are things that likely will not happen. Don’t spend energy worrying about these things.
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Share your concerns with the appropriate people
If you’re part of a team who takes on responsibility together, then you would be a fool to take things on by yourself. Don’t be a fool.
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Don’t share your concerns with inappropriate people
If your concerns are private, don’t share them with work people. If your concerns are work related, don’t share them with your family.
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Don’t overeat
The easiest thing to do when stressed is to overeat. Doing this won’t help you at all and will show everyone that you have no willpower.
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Don’t overdrink
I’m not just talking about alcohol, that would be obvious. I’m talking about overdrinking coffee, which will make you fidgety and even overdrinking water, which will make you constantly have to use the restroom.
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Eat the right foods
Don’t eat too many carbs and try to stick with high quality meats. It will energize you and keep you fuller for longer. Also, think about this. Who elicits more respect, someone eating a steak or someone eating a crepe?
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Stand up straight
Don’t slouch. Stand up and sit up straight, others will respect you for it.
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Don’t do anything that’s unnecessary
When it’s crunch time, don’t waste physical or mental energy on something unnecessary.
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Do something unnecessary
This is a caveat to number 26. Sometimes you have to do something unnecessary to give your mind a break. This also serves to show others that you’re in control.
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Take a nap or zone out
Again, this will refresh your body and mind. If you’re really stressing out, you won’t be able to take a nap, but you could zone out and achieve a similar response. Here’s the thing about this, don’t zone out because you’re stressed out and need to get away. Zone out so you can come back stronger.. get it?
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Be understanding when others do the opposite of these tips
Everyone handles stress in different ways. Be understanding of that and don’t hold it against people when they can’t stay calm or even appear calm.
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Wake up earlier than usual
Waking up earlier allows your brain to start processing necessary information without feeling constantly rushed. It also sets you up to arrive early and look prepared.
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Always Keep Calm and Carrion
How do you appear calm on the outside while freaking out on the inside?
