Anxiety Pre-Meeting The Ultimate Cheat sheet For Everyone
How can you reduce anxiety pre-meeting?
Here are 9 tools for you:
1. Preparation
Sometimes anxiety is just a lack of preparation, right?
So:
→ Break down the meeting agenda into smaller tasks
→ Tackle them one at a time.
Why does it work?
Because it helps to create a sense of control.
2. Visualization
It makes no sense visualizing negative outcomes, right?
So:
→ Picture yourself confidently facing the meeting and achieving your goal.
Why does it work?
Because you prepare your mind for success.
3. Move Your Body
Our relationship with our mind is dictated by the relationship with our body, right?
So:
→ Move your body by taking a short walk in nature or doing some stretching.
Why does it work?
Because it releases endorphins, the body’s mood enhancers.
So we can:
→ alleviate tension
→ change our state of mind
4. Mindful Breathing 4-4-8
Anxiety means “future”.
Breathing means “present”.
Right?
So:
→ Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds.
→ Hold for 4 seconds.
→ Exhale through your mouth for 8 seconds.
And repeat for 8 cycles.
Why does it work?
Because you bring calm to your mind.
5. Positive Affirmations
Negativity can increase anxiety, right?
So:
→ Repeat positive affirmations to boost your confidence, like:
→ “I’m ready for the meeting and can totally nail my goals.”
Why does it work?
Because you help your mind to stay focused on your strengths.
6. Plan Potential Challenges
Challenges are pretty common, right?
So:
→ Prepare a plan for potential challenges during the meeting.
→ And define how to manage those challenges calmly.
Why does it work?
Because the more problems you anticipate, the less likely anxiety is to knock at the door.
7. Limit Stimulants
Stimulants and anxiety go hand in hand, right?
So:
→ Cut caffeine or stimulants before the meeting.
→ Opt for water or calming herbal tea (Green Tea, for example)
Why does it work?
Because you make sure your mind stays steady.
8. Posture
Our posture and our mood are close friends.
Did you know that?
So:
→ Improve your posture by imagining yourself as someone you admire for their posture.
Let’s try now:
→ Stand up
→ Imagine someone you admire for their posture
Do you have them in mind?
Great!
Now do this:
→ Imagine being them – literally copy their posture.
Why does it work?
Because your posture is directly correlated to your self-perception.
9. Stress Ball
The Stress Ball is not just for not biting your nails, right?
So:
→ Squeeze a stress ball to release tension and nervous energy.
Why does it work?
For a couple of reasons:
→ It redirects your focus
→ It engages the muscles