05/26/2026
I saw a kid in a store have an absolute meltdown the other day. Screaming, tears, the works.
That is, until he saw his Mom and everything was okay.
His Mom was not more than a few feet away, but he lost eye contact for a few seconds, panicked, and let the whole world know it. Who can blame him?
What struck me was the utter calm he displayed when he realized everything was okay.
It made me wonder... how often do we as adults face danger, anxiousness, or fear, in any number of scenarios, but instead of voicing it so we can get over it, we hold it inside? Then the next time it happens we compound the problem by holding it again.
Only when we get to our breaking point do we finally let things out, but at that point it's likely an overblown reaction, and likely impacts the wrong people at the wrong time.
Could we learn something from this toddler? Could we learn that maybe the more healthy action is to deal with that fear, anxiousness or danger right away so we can return to our sense of calm?
I am not suggesting screaming and tears, but there has to be some release of the energy we're feeling.
When I was working at a park, my go-to energy release was to go interact with the guests. Nothing changed my mood (for the positive) AND calmed me down more than interacting with guests. For me, helping other people enjoy themselves is a natural mood elixir.
What I should have also done was have a conversation with the people that made me feel anxious and stressed. But I didn't, because that was scary, too.
If my conversations with a plethora of leaders is any guide, I wasn't alone. Avoiding the tough conversations is a phenomena that plagues even some of the most seasoned leaders.
But it doesn't have to be that way. Here are some tips for having the scary conversation:
Take a deep breath. Recognize that this is what has to be done. It's what a leader does.
Remember that the long-term outcome will be more worth it than the temporary apprehension
Think about what you want to say but don't get hung up on it. Say it. Get it out there. It won't be perfect. The idea is to get the ball rolling. You can make sure it stays on course once it's moving.
Once you get it out there, and you realize the scenario wasn't as scary as you thought AND that now you are on your way to solving the actual problem, your calm will return.
It's like seeing your Mom and forgetting that any of the scary things even exist.
If you are in a situation like this you are trying to navigate, hit me up. I am happy to help! If you need more ongoing support and guidance, consider signing up for a Mastermind program this Fall!
Thanks for reading!
Matt
407-435-8084
[email protected]
performanceoptimist.com
