Delay Equals Anxiety

Mandy Hickson

Leadership Coach

Learn to manage stress and boost productivity by tackling procrastination. Discover practical strategies to reduce anxiety, break tasks into manageable steps, and embrace imperfection for a more efficient and stress-free workflow.

Time Management

Delay Equals Anxiety

6 mins 36 secs

Key learning objectives:

Understand anxiety cost from procrastination
Identify strategies to reduce anxiety
Apply techniques to manage tasks efficiently

Overview:

Procrastination leads to anxiety cost, a mental toll from delaying tasks. Mandy Hickson explains how to reduce this anxiety through practical strategies like breaking tasks into manageable steps, managing perfectionism, practising mindfulness, challenging negative thoughts, and seeking support. By implementing these techniques, you can manage tasks efficiently, reduce stress, and improve overall productivity.

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Summary

What is anxiety cost and how does it impact us?

Anxiety cost is the mental and emotional toll incurred when we delay addressing important tasks or decisions, leading to increased stress, worry, and inefficiency. Procrastination heightens anxiety as unresolved tasks linger in our minds, consuming mental energy and causing unnecessary distress.

How can identifying the root cause of procrastination help reduce anxiety cost?

By understanding why you're delaying a task, whether it’s due to fear of failure, perfectionism, or overwhelm, you can address the underlying reasons more effectively. Self-reflection helps pinpoint the source of anxiety, making it easier to manage and overcome.

What are some practical strategies to reduce anxiety cost?

Break Tasks into Manageable Steps: Divide larger tasks into smaller, actionable steps to reduce overwhelm.
Manage Perfectionism: Recognise that tasks don't need to be perfect. Aim for progress over perfection and learn from mistakes.
Practice Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Incorporate deep breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, and regular exercise to reduce stress.

How can challenging negative thoughts help in managing anxiety?

Cognitive restructuring involves challenging irrational or negative thoughts that contribute to anxiety. By replacing them with realistic and constructive perspectives, you can reduce anxiety and approach tasks more confidently.

What techniques can be used to manage tasks efficiently?

Set False Deadlines: Assign deadlines to create a sense of urgency and accountability.
Seek Support and Accountability: Partner with colleagues, friends, or mentors to stay on track and receive encouragement.
Chunking: Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps to make progress more manageable.

Why is it important to seek support and accountability?
Seeking support from colleagues, friends, or mentors provides new insights and alleviates anxiety. Accountability partners can help you stay on track, provide encouragement, and share similar anxieties, offering a sense of camaraderie and support.

The opinions and viewpoints expressed in this video are those of the creator and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organisations.

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Mandy Hickson

Mandy's journey as the second woman to fly the Tornado GR4 on the front line spans over three decades of aviation experience, including three tours of duty and 45 missions over Iraq. Renowned as a captivating keynote speaker, she shares her insights with humour and passion, inspiring audiences worldwide. As a coach and mentor, Mandy empowers others in decision-making, leadership, and stress management. Outside of her aviation career, she remains active in supporting the military and serves as a sports ambassador for Hampshire. Her bestselling book, 'An Officer. Not a Gentleman', chronicles her groundbreaking career as a pioneering female fighter pilot.

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