How Action and Better Problems Reduce Anxiety in High Performers

Many individuals possess a "problem-solving brain," a mind that constantly seeks challenges and solutions. However, the quality of these problems significantly impacts mental well-being. If this innate drive isn't directed towards constructive issues, it can lead to internal turmoil and anxiety.

One individual shared an anecdote about a friend whose wife complained about his late-night phone use. His excuse was, "I've got a mind that likes to solve problems. I'm just trying to give it good problems to solve." This highlights a common human tendency: when faced with a problem-solving mind, the absence of meaningful problems can lead to rumination on anxieties, counterfactuals, and worries about things going wrong or people getting hurt.

Action as an Antidote

Engaging in action can serve as a powerful antidote to anxiety. When the mind is occupied with a concrete task, such as writing a joke or tackling a specific project, it shifts focus away from unproductive worries. It's difficult to be anxious about the future when actively moving towards it.

The danger arises when a problem-solving brain lacks good problems. This can lead individuals to fixate on external issues beyond their control, such as politics, celebrity gossip, or international conflicts. The news, in particular, can exacerbate this by presenting problems without offering any agency to the viewer, creating a sense of helplessness and contributing to mental health difficulties.

Empathy vs. Agency

A distinction can be drawn between how we assign empathy and agency. Often, we grant empathy to those we like and agency to those we dislike. For example, if a far-right group commits an act of vandalism, we might demand their immediate punishment, attributing full agency to their actions. Conversely, if a social justice group does the same, we might offer empathy, viewing their actions as a cry from the unheard.

Ideally, both empathy and agency should be extended to everyone. This means believing in people's capacity to handle situations and acknowledging their role, while also recognizing the broader context and motivations that led to their actions.

The Pursuit of Better Problems

Many people might find greater fulfillment and reduce anxiety by simply finding better problems to solve. This involves consciously directing time and attention towards meaningful endeavors.

A personal experience from a meditation retreat illustrated this point. After a week of silence and no screens, re-entering the world of constant stimuli, particularly news about wildfires, created a strange internal constriction. While being informed about global events is important, the constant barrage of negative news, especially without any means of direct action, can be detrimental to the nervous system. It creates a feeling of being informed but primarily serves to induce worry.

The High Performer's Dilemma: Success and Standards

High performers often struggle with celebrating achievements. As one individual, Michael Smokes, put it, "I have a hard time celebrating my achievements because in my mind it was my obligation to achieve it." This mindset stems from the belief that the higher one climbs, the further one has to fall. As standards continuously increase, past successes become the new baseline, and anything less than perfection is perceived as failure. While this drive can push individuals to work harder and improve, it can also make success feel like a minimum acceptable performance rather than a cause for celebration.

To counter this, it's suggested that individuals need to experience "imposter syndrome" every 18 months to two years, constantly leveling up and pushing themselves into new, challenging spaces. This involves trying new things and embracing discomfort.

The Evolving Nature of Performance

For those at the top of their game, the challenge lies in finding new "games" to play or evolving their current approach. In the context of performance, such as comedy, the focus can shift from simply delivering jokes to creating a deeper connection with the audience.

One comedian described how his show evolved to include more heartfelt interactions with the audience. This change, which he couldn't pinpoint the exact reason for, led to a more profound connection. He views comedy as "the shortest distance between two people," emphasizing the importance of authenticity and vulnerability. Just as a best friend is someone with whom you have no filter, treating an audience with that same level of openness can lead to a powerful and rewarding experience.

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