Compartmentalising Stress: Conscious Conscientiousness

Compartmentalisation is a counterintuitive coping technique for high-stakes performance pressure.

Psychology has historically theoretically framed compartmentalisation as a defense mechanism with negative connotations, yet it has the potential to be positively reappropriated.

Compartmentalisation is essentially a neutral tool, capable of being consciously converted into a strategy for dealing with conflicting internal pressures whilst in the pursuit of productivity.

Coping strategies are short-term solutions, with the potential for both positive and negative outcomes. We want to compartmentalise problems, not push out them out of self awareness. They need to remain accessible at will.

This strategy surmises it is possible to commit to several full time focuses, with the caveat you isolate singular and full attention sessionally.

Here is a breakdown of steps for dealing with adversity and extreme challenges via compartmentalisation -

1. Isolate each issue from the other challenges you are addressing.

2. Apply intense focus on each compartment, but only for a short period of time.

3. Move forward in incremental steps.

Once you see progress, close the compartment and open the next one.

4. Say “No” to things that don’t deserve a compartment.

Each compartment is a closed-loop process =

Open, Focus, Close.

Follow each set of cycling with decompression to reflect and review how this system is operating in the panorama of your life.

Note changes in any sub-systems that are thwarting the efficiency of this coping strategy.

Adapt accordingly through ameliorating or introducing additional coping techniques.

It is wise to consider including counter-intuitive approaches that can strengthen the overall complexity of problem solving strategies. Just like with a financial investment strategy, diversification additionally buffers your coping capacity to unforeseen types of stress.

Continue being experimental in how you build resilience regimes into your life.

What works today, might not work tomorrow. Likewise what didn't work yesterday, may well work today. Therein lies the beauty and bounty of adaptability.

As observed by Micheal Gelb, life is a continuous exercise in creative problem solving.