How to Shift into a More Positive and Productive State of Mind

I’ve learned a lot about managing stress and overwhelm over the last several years and wanted to share a story…

A challenge…

With the holidays approaching and the launch of my new Workshop, I’ve been going at top speed for the last several weeks. All the while, I have responsibilities at home and at Branching Out Events that I have not tended to, leaving me ridden with guilt and self-loathing. (Sounds dramatic, but I can assure you that even after all these years and all this work I’ve done to improve myself- I still go there sometimes).
 
I realized this weekend that I have “hit a wall.” I know I’m at max capacity because I am inconsistent, overpromising and underdelivering. (And these UNCOMFORTABLE feelings remind me of darker days as an entrepreneur)  

The solution…

Now, what I WANTED to do and what I actually NEED to do are two very different things. I allowed myself a little of both...
 
I WANTED to eat junk food and plop myself on the couch to watch Hallmark Christmas movies (pre-Christmas, because why not). And I allowed myself to do just that.

I ate a pile off dried mangoes with a bowl full of Dots southwest flavor pretzels (I swear there's crack in the ingredients), followed by dark chocolate sea salt caramels (i didn't count how many), chased down with an ice cold Topo Chico. Instead of Hallmark movies, I chose Harry Potter (b/c Harry always cheers me up). I indulged in a good ole self-loathing session for just one afternoon.
 
Afterwards, I said to myself: “Debby, get your shit together and give yourself a break!” 
 
Then, I gave myself a good night’s sleep, woke up singing "The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow" and committed to doing what I NEED to do…
 
Step 1: a SYSTEM SLOW DOWN (I made this up and it really works)

• Breathe and Get Present in the moment: magical possibilities await in the here and now
• Focus on the Positive: nothing works better to rid your mind of negativity than seeing the good
• Ask myself What Matters Most TODAY: I always come back to this simple question and the answer always remind me to…

Step 2: go BACK TO MY ROOTS- aka: what matters most

• Remind myself of today’s ONE THING: what MUST be done today, so that all other related things become easier or no longer necessary?
• Remind myself of today’s PRIORITIES: what must be nurtured today to support WHO I want to BE?
• Remind myself of my BIG PICTURE Life Vision: I look at my Yearly Theme and BE Words…one of which is BE Steadfast, meaning stay committed to and compassionate towards myself as I continue my journey to becoming a Masterful Human (which I see as a lifelong journey)
• Orient my day (just start with today) around my ONE THING, my PRIORITIES and my BIG PICTURE Vision- my ROOTS- the tasks and responsibilities, rituals & routines that support WHO I want to be and WHERE I want to go!
• Accept that all other “things” on my list are a NO (for today)

The results…

I’ve apologized for missed deadlines (taking 100% responsibility is BIG for me), alerted those involved to my need for a SYSTEM SLOW DOWN (everyone at Branching Out Events understands what that means) and I’ve asked for extensions.
 
It’s only 10am, yet I’m feeling completely capable of following through with everything on my revised list of tasks and responsibilities for today. With adjusted expectations (for myself and others), I KNOW I can deliver AND deliver a job well done.

Your turn…

I share this story with you not so you can tell me how awesome I am…because after my SYSTEM SLOW DOWN, I already believe I’m awesome again- ha!
 
I share this story with you so you can yank up your own boot straps, pull your own self out of a pit of self-loathing and SHIFT into a more positive and productive state of mind.
 
When you feel yourself hitting a wall and reaching your max capacity (or even just having a shitty day), skip the junk food and try the System Slow Down. Then try going back to your Roots.

In the meantime...

• I'm curious to know what parts of this story you are relating to AND 
• I’m curious to know if you try the SYSTEM SLOW DOWN & going BACK TO YOUR ROOTS and how it works for you

Email me at [email protected] and let me know. I always love hearing from you!
 
In the meantime and as always, I’m sending you GOOD VIBES!
Debby J