Are you the sort of person who just keeps going under any circumstances? Do you battle on while you’re sick, and keep going even when you’re exhausted? Do you feel guilty when you relax or do you simply avoid relaxing altogether?
All of us work with a certain amount of stress, and yes, some stress is good for us, emotionally, physically and for our life results. However, in this day and age all too often people are failing to recognise the signs of serious stress and blaze on regardless of the indicators in their body that something is wrong.
A really great indicator of how you deal with stress is how you react when you are running late. It’s an important meeting and you know you’re not going to make it on time. You have a number of options:
1) You consolidate, get over the fact that you’re late, call the person and explain and get there as soon as you can without too much guilt or remorse. Essentially you take the attitude that these things happen and simply move on.
OR
2) You start to lose it and focus on the fact that you’re late, you become more scattered, begin to forget things, lose your concentration and make yourself even later and arrive completely frazzled for your meeting, leading to more stress about the outcome and how you presented. Essentially your small challenge complies and keeps snowballing leaving you feeling completely overwhelmed and out of control.
Both circumstances stem from exactly the same situation. The first case is a great example of how stress can be positive. It can help us to focus and get our act together when we need a little shove. The second scenario however shows us that we have misplaced our ability to cope with stress, and yes, different people will react differently on any given day due to numerous other variables that we need to take into consideration.
I’d like to you to think, for just one moment, back to the last time you were running late. How did you cope with it and what can you learn from your current ability to manage stress in your life?
If you need to improve how you manage stressful situations, here are a few simple ideas to get you started.
 Always be prepared. If you’re meeting with someone, carry their phone number. If you have a mobile, keep your car charger in your car and always confirm appointments beforehand to avoid any confusion about time or meeting place.
Take three very deep belly breaths, with your hand on your belly breathe in until your hand is pushed all the way out, filling your belly up with oxygen. This ensures the oxygen is reaching more than simply your chest and that you can achieve the maximum benefit from breathing.
Count to ten. Yes, it is as simple as it sounds. Any time stress settles in on you, stop and simply count to ten. If your instant reaction to this remedy is “I don’t have time” and you ignore your own suggestion, then you seriously need to regain control of your mind as it’s clearly taken charge!
Create a ‘happy place’ in your mind and in times of stress take 60 seconds out to experience complete bliss. Spend a little time today thinking and imagining the most wonderful place you can concoct, perhaps a rainforest with a waterfall, or a long stretch of beach on a beautiful sunny day. Imagine yourself sitting there, toes in the water, completely relaxed as the sun warms your back and the sound of the water gently lapping on the shoreline fills you with peace and serenity.
Schedule time into your week to relax, set everything up for yourself so that you can enjoy your down time guilt free and ensure you have some quiet time and free space to simply do nothing.
Everyone has stress in their lives, what differentiates the successful from the unsuccessful is how we manage it and how we move forward.
If you’re really ready to step up and start living life and need a little assistance to get started, please give me a call on 0409 224 303 for a complimentary coaching session and we can work on it together.
The next workshop available is ‘Public speaking’ and will run on July 27th and August 3rd.
Public Speaking
In this 2 part workshop you will:
Learn the importance of body language
Uncover your potential and style as a speaker
Write and deliver an amazing and dynamic presentation
Learn numerous speaking and communication skills
Face your fears and gain confidence as a speaker
Have plenty of practice to cement in your new skills
Develop the power to influence through presentations
Workshop Details
Location: Wollongong Golf Club
Date: Monday 27th July & 3rd August, 2009
Time: 2pm – 6pm
Cost: $180
Bookings: Email Jodie@advancedcoachingsolutions.com.au to reserve your place.
To check out workshops available and what’s scheduled for the rest of the year, go to www.advancedcoachingsolutions.com.au/Workshops.html | 
