Anxiety is exhausting. There’s no doubt about it. It’s exhausting and draining for high achievers, those looking to excel in their careers, businesses, and personal lives, pulling them back from performing at their peak. 

Many people who are successful deal with anxiety daily. It’s those simple things of constantly thinking about the “What if’s?”, dwelling on minor mistakes, comparing themselves to others and ending up in a downward spiral when simple things aren’t going to plan. Which, if we’re really honest with ourselves, is most of the time. 

High achievers are always focused on the goal and hone in on what they need to do. But, they can be shaken when expectations are not met, and this can lead to them feeling anxious and, at times, depressed. While anxiety is common, it can be the wall that stops high achievers from reaching high productivity levels. 

Anxiety is the disruptor of our focus. According to management studies in the workplace, 1 hour of uninterrupted focus is equivalent to 3 hours of work, and vice versa. Isn’t it crazy to think that something as simple as feeling anxious can have such a huge impact on our output of work? 

But never fear. The good news is that there are several solutions that high achievers can implement to overcome anxiety and skyrocket their productivity.

Subtract The Noise 

Every day, we’re inundated with meeting requests, phone calls, text messages and everything in between. And for the most part, high achievers are over-scheduled. Here’s where you’ll need discipline. You need to cut back and focus on one or two products at a time. 

When you subtract the noise, you instantly improve that deep focus, prevent burnout, lower stress levels and enhance your decision-making abilities. 

The consequence of being overscheduled leads to being overwhelmed. When you’re overwhelmed, this triggers stress hormones like adrenaline, which shift the brain's rational part, the prefrontal cortex and redirects it into being less productive.

Escape The Thought Traps 

There are, without a doubt, a million and one challenges to overcome in business. Yet when we’re in the right headspace, problem-solving transforms and becomes infinitely easier. 

For high achievers, challenges are often catastrophized. They focus on one problem and replay it over and over again in their minds, creating an unrealistic scenario. Take a month of negative cash flow, for example. For a high achiever, this can feel like the end of the world, and instantly become worried that the business will tank, and bam, you’ll go broke even though your rational side of the brain knows that it’s highly unlikely. However, when you’re stuck in this mental loop, even the most outrageous scenarios seem believable.

It’s this kind of thinking that undermines performance and holds you back. Make the conscious effort to remind yourself of many challenges you’ve already overcome in business or life. Consider and look for examples that are similar to your current situation. This will help settle the irrational mind and give you your power back.

Feed Your Brain 

Your brain is built on the same nutrition blocks as the rest of your body. So how those nutrients affect your body also affects your brain. What you consume dramatically affects your ability to handle stress, stay calm under pressure and enhance productivity. 

The Dehydrated Brain 

But it’s not just about what we eat that affects our brain overall. When we don’t drink enough water, our brain struggles to find the right chemicals to produce serotonin in our brain. It’s been found that just as little as half of a litre of dehydration can increase our stress hormones associated with anxiety. 

The Glucose Filled Brain 

Glucose is essential to fuel the brain. Disruption and interference with glucose are common causes of anxiety. Conversely, a drop in blood glucose levels will trigger adrenalin and symptoms similar to anxiety.

I always recommend my anxious clients stop or avoid any fasting or restrictive eating. Eat within 20 minutes of waking, and then eat every 3 to 4 hours to maintain those glucose levels. Not only does this reduce anxiety, but it also helps to improve your mood and overall energy. And, of course, reduce any sugar as it will cause glucose disruption, making symptoms worse.

The Caffeine Free Brain 

When I tell my clients to cut out the caffeine and avoid the rollercoaster it takes you on, sometimes it feels impossible. But I promise it’s possible. Caffeine is linked to anxiety, and reducing it all together has a huge positive impact. My golden rule is to avoid having coffee on an empty stomach as it disrupts glucose levels and stimulates cortisol release (another stress hormone). Instead, have breakfast first and then indulge in a coffee later if you need it.

What Next? 

There are many simple ways to combat anxiety and reach new productivity levels in your work and life, all with more ease and energy. 

If you want to take your productivity to the next step, my Peak Revival program is for you. This program takes it to the next level. Guiding clients 1:1 through various methods to address fatigue and burnout so you can transform into your best self.