There is a book out by Bob Rosen called “Just Enough Anxiety: The Hidden Driver of Business Success.” This is a book about business and different kinds of leadership, but reading about it made me think about the concept of “just enough anxiety” in everyday life. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune online edition, the author claims that anxiety leads to change, and that change is good. He thinks a leader should not lead by fear, or be controlling or anxious, but that “A leader who inspires through anxiety, on the other hand, sets bold targets to push employees to change, communicates honestly and is comfortable with ongoing conflict and turbulence.” 
Can we really be inspired by anxiety? Could it be that anxiety can have a positive effect on our lives? Maybe there is something to the idea that if we are too comfortable, we don’t act and make necessary changes in our lives. Obviously we are not talking about life limiting panic attacks or anxiety disorders here, but maybe some of the everyday anxiety that we feel about our lives, relationships and the future actually brings about something positive? If I’m completely honest with myself, I have to admit that there are things I have done in life primarily because I was more scared of what would happen if I didn’t act. Think about situations like job interviews. As scary as they can be, we still go through with them because we are more afraid of staying in a job we don’t like, or not having a job at all. We ask people out, and go on first dates, even though most people will admit that they are terrified of the idea of having to start a relationship from scratch again. Why do we do it? Maybe we are more afraid of being alone? I’m not trying to make anxiety sound like the best thing that ever happened to you, but I do believe it is important to look for the positive and to recognize that maybe there have been times where having a little bit of anxiety has helped you produce something good in your life. Maybe it is important to not lump all anxious feelings in together and label them as a disorder. If you think about it, are there not situations where a little bit of anxiety has helped you take positive action? I know it has for me. ELR www.easycalm.com
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According to a newly released Canadian study, reports that a lot of people experience a form of anxiety when they are not “connected” by the means of a wireless device like a cell phone or a laptop. As many as 59% say they experience some anxiety when disconnected and 26% report “significantly elevated levels of anxiety”. In addition, a CTV.ca article explains that another new phenomenon is people feeling their cell phones or blackberries vibrating in their pockets—when it’s not there.
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