On anxiety, productivity and getting too comfortable
Welcome to Whatever Matters, a weekly newsletter where I provide actionable ideas to help you build a high-performing life and career.
Today’s overview:
How to let go of anxiety and worry
Getting comfortable and getting out of your comfort zones
How music helps in my productivity
A question for your anxious mind
This newsletter is brought to you by Polka Pop*
India's first brand to serve naturally flavoured sparkling water with zero calories and no added sugar. I am a huge fan of their mission which is to make healthy living fun, accessible and not your second choice.
Head over to this link to get a 10% discount on your orders.
Don't Get Comfortable
Comfort zones can be safe and familiar, but they can also limit our growth and potential. Stepping out of our comfort zones is necessary for personal and professional development. In this blog, we will explore the importance of avoiding complacency and embracing discomfort to unlock new opportunities and growth.
"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."
In the book "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, the protagonist Santiago embarks on a journey that takes him far beyond his comfort zone. Through this experience, he discovers his true purpose and finds fulfilment, reminding us of the rewards that await outside our comfort zones.
Strategies to Avoid Getting Comfortable:
Embrace Challenges and Take Calculated Risks:
Seek out new experiences and challenges that push you beyond what you are familiar with.
Take calculated risks to expand your skill set, knowledge, and comfort zone. Remember that failure is a stepping stone to growth and success.
Set Stretch Goals:
Set goals that challenge and inspire you to reach new heights.
Break your goals down into actionable steps and regularly reassess and adjust them as you grow.
Practice Resilience and Learn from Setbacks:
Embrace setbacks and failures as opportunities for learning and growth.
Cultivate resilience by bouncing back from challenges and using them as fuel to propel you forward.
Loved what you read? Listen to this episode on Spotify for more insights.
My productivity increases 10x when I do this, Listen to music.
Music has always been a profound investment for me.
It has the power to transport me to another world, evoke emotions, and provide solace during both challenging and joyous times.
Sending a mail.
Preparing a presentation
Writing on LinkedIn
Play me songs, and you’ll see me come up with quality output in no time. I have been obsessed with music ever since I was a kid. It all started with the radio set we first had at home.
My days would pass in a gist as I tried to make sense of the lyrics.
I was glued to the set, humming songs from different ages. I remember being gifted a Philips Pocket FM on one of my birthdays. You had the provision to plug in earphones and escape to a world far away.
Every night, against the will of my parents, I would sneak in the FM, tip-toeing so I would save myself some scolding and listen to it throughout the night. I still do. My morning starts with music.
My day ends with music.
I have a knack for listening to music on repeat. I catch hold of some that interest me, a song I heard in the car, a background score of a movie or TV series. I was hooked for the longest time to Jazz, searching for the songs I did not know and listening to them; every time, it played as a score in this series called Suits.
My song selection is careful.
Lyrical when I seek solace. Just electronic when I need deep focus. Different music for documenting or creative work.
I finished reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist is a beloved and inspirational novel that has touched millions of readers around the world. It is a timeless story about following your dreams, listening to your heart, and discovering who you truly are.
Here are some lessons we can learn from Santiago, a young shepherd boy from Spain who sets off on a journey to fulfil his "Personal Legend," a deeply personal destiny calling him to find a treasure at the Egyptian pyramids.
Following your dreams: The Alchemist encourages readers to pursue their own personal legends, even when faced with challenges.
Listening to your heart: The importance of trusting your intuition and inner voice is a central theme.
The Soul of the World: The novel explores the idea of a universal consciousness that connects all things.
Overcoming adversity: Santiago's journey is full of obstacles, but he learns to persevere and grow from his experiences.
The importance of the journey: The true treasure is not the destination, but the journey itself and the lessons learned along the way.
This week’s question to you
"Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere."
- Van Gogh
What do you do in a situation when you are anxious? Reflect on your journey with the week's question and share your insights.
Join the conversation using #OwnYourLife on social media and i’ll see you next week.
Let go of anxiety
Life often presents us with various challenges that can trigger anxiety and overwhelm us. Whether it's work deadlines, relationship complications, concerns about our children's well-being, or personal health issues, anxiety can easily take control.
Psychologist Susan Albers, explains that anxious thoughts activate the limbic system, the fear centre of our brain. It's like walking around with an umbrella, constantly anticipating a thunderstorm. Read more on my blog
Narayanan’s Recommendation Corner
Quote of the week,
“Time doesn't stop for anyone. Not poor, not rich. We all have 24 hours. What defines is what we do within the time we have to live a fulfilling life."
Podcast of the week,
Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett, a simple yet powerful podcast sharing the unfiltered journey into remarkable stories and untold dimensions of the world's most influential people, experts and thinkers.