You are the Chaos.
And have the power to break through.
Welcome to OutsmartChaos, the newsletter. We’re glad you’re here. In this newsletter, you will find:
The Power of Perspective
Reframing Chaos
Creative Breakthroughs
Self-Reflection Questions
Your thoughts and beliefs shape reality more than you realize. The chaos in life stems not from external events but from a picture of ourselves that is wholly wrong. How you address this is the distinction between confidence and frustration.
You are the Chaos.
Knowing this makes all the difference.
The Power of Perspective
Years ago, I worked with an individual who was a senior architect for the organization that I had recently joined. He set architectural direction amongst senior developers, product leadership, and people leaders. It was not always easy to agree with this diverse group, which was challenging for him.
He felt like a victim, and everyone who disagreed with him was a villain. Over time, his behavior showed this, and the relationship with others, even those of us who wanted him to succeed, devolved. He self-destructed, eventually leaving a meeting with his manager and quitting that day.
He left the team convinced that the chaos in his life and on the team was everyone else. It couldn’t have been him.
Self-Limiting Stories
The stories we tell ourselves dictate our emotions and behaviors. Self-limiting beliefs like "Everyone is trying to destroy me" restrain us from achieving our potential.
Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.
-Henry Ford
My former colleague chose to entertain the chaos. He decided that the circumstances around him were positioned purposefully to destroy him and his ideas.
Mindset shifts
Changing your mindset can transform chaotic circumstances into opportunities. Most chaotic circumstances are great opportunities when you know how to respond.
The chaos of falling stock markets represents the best opportunity to make long-term investments.
A frustrating work situation offers the chance of leadership impact.
Working through a challenging situation allows the greatest likelihood of relationship growth.
Taking responsibility for your mindset gives you the power to control outcomes. You choose your response.
Your response is your responsibility.
Negative thought patterns become self-fulfilling prophecies, while adopting a growth mindset opens up possibilities and solutions.
Reframing Chaos
The chaos in life happens for us, not to us. We get to choose how to respond. Reframing challenges as learning experiences engenders resilience.
Staying fixed in a victim mentality keeps you stuck in chaos. Accepting responsibility for your mindset is the first step toward positive change.
Your beliefs are not necessarily truths - question negative assumptions holding you back. An empowering mindset views setbacks as opportunities for growth.
Shedding limiting beliefs creates space for breakthroughs to occur. When you change your mindset, you change your world.
Creating Breakthroughs
Take an inventory of your current mindset. Is it moving you forward or holding you back? Surround yourself with people who uplift and challenge limiting beliefs.
While you cannot control everything, you have power over your mindset and response. Even in chaotic times, you can choose thought patterns that create hope, resilience, and breakthroughs. The chaos stems from within. Your mindset matters.
Self Reflection Questions
Do I more often see setbacks as game-enders or opportunities for breakthroughs? How could I shift to a growth mindset?
What legacy do I want to leave behind? What mindsets and beliefs will empower me to build that reality?
What daily habits and practices could I adopt to keep my mindset positive and empowering?
Who do I surround myself with - people who uplift or tear me down? How could I cultivate more empowering relationships?
When have I turned an external chaotic circumstance into an opportunity for growth? What did I learn from that experience?
At Outsmart Chaos, we believe that in the Face of Chaos, Confident Courage lights the Path to Opportunity. We’re dedicated to helping you find your way to the most significant opportunities in your life, career, and leadership.
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Great content...even more so in an environment of change and uncertainty.