You have more control than you think…
I had a conversation today where someone asked me if I provide ‘Life Coaching’.
It’s an interesting question, because in a way all coaching is life coaching because even though I work with Leaders and Business Owners, we’re not always talking about business and work.
We talk about all the things that might come up that impacts WHO we are and how we show up professionally.
“Where ever you go, there you are” — Jon Kabat-Zinn
We bring our whole selves to work. We typically aren’t one way at work and one way at home…and if we are and it’s a dramatic difference, that can cause a LOT of stress for you in the long-run. If this is you, we need to speak.
I digress.
The question I received today make me think again about how we show up and what we bring with us wherever we go.
It also made me think about the different qualities within us that promotes beauty, creativity, inspiration, focus, and commitment to the work we do. And, the qualities of guilt, comparison, obligation, self-judgment, denial, relentless driving and ego that are often found in lock-step.
We all have different elements of these that may show up more than others.
Do you ever acknowledge these different parts of you? Are you aware when you might be in one emotion or mindset over others and how often?
If you notice a mindset that is not serving you that is coming up quite often - let’s use self-judgement as an example.
How is it impacting you at work? How is it getting in the way of how you FEEL about your performance, your relationships with your co-workers or team and how you are able to end the day. Are you able to let the day go or do you ruminate or go-over all the details of your interactions or what you did or did not do?
This is all taking up space in your brain. It’s draining your energy. It’s detracting from your performance and the value you bring.
What do you need to let go of? Pick one thing you where if you let it go, it would improve your mindset. Eg. letting go of comparing yourself to others, letting go of self-judgement about being behind in your goals, secretly feeling you are failing as a leader because of a disagreement with a team-member, etc., etc.
What do you need to add into your efforts? What could you add to your day that would provide you with fuel or greater ease to show up more fully, prepared to do the best you can? Eg. space in your calendar to get work done on a major project, a favourite coffee, a walk at lunch, a direct conversation with someone, using your voice, self-talk that supports and encourages rather than the opposite, etc. etc.
What do you need to shift that would enhance your energy and support you in your day? Eg. this could be reframing a challenge you are experiencing (seeing it from a different angle), it could be shifting when you work on a particular task, shifting how you conduct your meetings, etc. etc.
We have more control over how we think and feel than we think we do.
I would love to see you find ways to support yourself so you can feel good about the work you do, and you feel good DOING it. I recognize that every moment isn’t going to be roses.
But, by letting go of one thing that is keeping you back from feeling better or doing better, that could make a huge impact on your leadership.
NOW is YOUR time.
Ariana