Let’s Be Honest… Sometimes Work Feels Like a Circus. 🎪

You know those moments when a conversation goes sideways so fast it makes your brain short-circuit?

• Someone pushes for a solution that completely ignores reality.

• Someone else rejects a solid idea just because of who said it.

• Or worse: decisions are being made that you know are going to cause a domino effect of chaos… and you can’t do a thing about it.

Yeah. That moment. We’ve all been there.

But here’s what doesn’t get enough credit:

It takes serious skill to stay grounded when other people are operating from a place of fear, ego, or just plain foolishness.

It takes even more skill not to internalize it.

“I am not defined by dysfunction around me.”

Why This Hits So Hard

When we experience irrational behavior at work, especially in environments where we're overruled, dismissed, or ignored, it activates our threat response system. The brain’s amygdala kicks into gear, which can trigger a cascade of stress if not kept in check. Your body prepares to defend, escape, or shut down, even if the “danger” is just a ridiculous email chain.

But here's the truth:
If you're not careful, these environments can slowly chip away at your motivation, focus, and confidence.

And when that happens, you may even find yourself falling into the very same traps:

• Dismissing people out of habit

• Oversimplifying what others say

• Rolling your eyes before they even open their mouth

But you’re wiser than that.
And more importantly, you have tools that work.

Staying Grounded is Your Superpower

You don’t have to master the chaos.

You just need to master your response.

You can:

✅ Hold your ground without becoming defensive
✅ Stay sharp without taking it all personally
✅ Be the calm in the storm and still get your work done with excellence

Tell yourself:  “I choose to respond, not react.”

And one of the most powerful tools you have?

The Reset Tool: Pause. Orient. Choose.

→ Pause

Notice your body. Are you tense? Clenched jaw? Racing thoughts?

That’s your cue to breathe.

Acknowledge your stress response, but don’t let it drive.

Step back before snapping back.

→ Orient

Ask yourself:
What actually matters here?

What is within my control?

Am I reacting to this moment… or to every moment like it that came before?

→ Choose

Pick your response with intention.

Protect your focus. Speak with clarity.

Walk away if needed.

Respond with what makes you proud, not what makes you spiral.

Dysfunction Around You Is Not a Reflection of You

Whether it's poor communication, dismissive leadership, or decisions that make zero operational sense… you don't have to fix it all.

You don’t even have to understand why they’re doing what they’re doing.

What you do need is to know:

• Who you are

• What you bring to the table

• How you choose to show up when things get ridiculous

Right now, your calm resilience matters more than ever.

📌 One More Thought Before You Go:

Some people really do make everything harder than it needs to be.

And while that’s frustrating, it doesn’t mean you need to carry their dysfunction on your back.

The goal isn’t to control everything around you.

The goal is to stay grounded enough to control how you show up in the middle of it.

You’ve got this.