Stress No More!

Do you have moments (or years) when it feels more like life is something being done to you rather than a series of incredible experiences?  It’s human nature to stress.    

There are times and circumstances when this is a life-saving trait.  Then there’s every other day.  The idea of ‘taking control of your life’ can sound ominous and even laughable but seriously, it can and should be done.  And it’s much simpler than you think.  When things feel complicated it’s either not and you’re simply over analyzing or it’s because you allowed it to grow into a conundrum that now has you whimpering in terror in the corner.  This stops now!  Today is the day you take responsibility for your life.

Words To Live By

There are a few mottoes that I do my best to live by.  I read and recite them more frequently when I find myself whimpering in that corner.  They give me the spine to stand up, walk into the open and own whatever mess I have created.

You can think of these credos as perspectives.  When we’re feeling out of sorts, perspective is often the first things we lose.  Over the next 4 weeks, we’ll work on regaining some of that lost perspective one credo at a time.

Credo 1:  Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk

I don’t care if it’s cliché, it’s so true.  When you find yourself emotionally reactive, stop and ask yourself why it even matters.  Chances are it doesn’t or at least not to the degree you’re reacting to.  Many of us tend to emote more over the smaller things in life.  Often this is a reaction to feeling stressed already and now something or someone has just inconvenienced us or put even more weight on our shoulders.  There’s a deeper issue here that has to be acknowledged and untangled.

 

 

1. Step back and assess why you’re feeling so stressed and what you can do to remedy it?
2. Accept that this ‘inconvenience’ is simply a part of life. Does getting upset change or fix anything?  No, never.  It only serves to make you and those around you more miserable.  How much calmer will you and say, your assistant feel when your reaction to his double booking you is, “I know it was a mistake.  I’ll call client Noname and just explain there was a mix-up.  It’ll work out.”
3. Accept the reality. Now what if Client Noname, that now has to be rescheduled is a really important and anal client that needs to read this article?  Before you get yourself worked up, stop and consider who needs who.  Say he walks.  Now it’s time for the next credo….

Stay tuned next week for What’s the worst that could happen?

 

Let’s Chat!

What might your life look like when you (gasp!) laugh over spilled milk?