Grab A View From The Balcony.
Hi There,
Speaking of stress, TODAY, right on the Summer Solstice, I closed on a new home! This has been a 2-month rollercoaster ride for Michael and me, to say the least. And it’s finally time to celebrate!
That’s not to say the move won’t be accompanied by its own stresses, not to mention the bittersweet process of selling our beloved home on the lake. But since celebration is an important aspect to maintaining resilience, feel free to join me in a “YIPPPEEEE”!
This short introduction illustrates a key practice for managing stress, which is maintaining perspective. While it’s true that I’m not even halfway through the process, it’s important for me to actively recognize milestones— big and small.
Think about yourself for a moment, when you’ve done something significant like submitting a proposal, delivering a presentation, or conducting an important meeting. Upon completion, do you take a breath and recognize the accomplishment? Or are you like too many driven professionals, rushing off to the next project?
How about recognizing when you’ve asked a thought-provoking question, maintained emotional equilibrium, or remained deeply engaged during a courageous conversation? Any kind of tipping of the hat to yourself?
Choosing to insert a step, a breath, or a space between activities during a day constitutes as a twofer toward better health. Besides the hit of oxytocin to your brain due to a silent “rock on”, your emotional energy is supported as you gain perspective. I like inviting coaching clients “to the balcony” so they can get a view of the bigger picture.
You see, unless we’re intentional about perspective, we live on a preverbal crowded dance floor, and can only see what’s right around us. Perspective allows us to see the whole dance floor. When you run up to the balcony, the lay of the land comes into view.
As our house move kicks into gear and I start feeling stressors pile on, the quickest way to the balcony will be to ask myself, “Is this a short-term or long-term challenge?”. This simple consideration allows me to put space between the stress (STILL no contract signed by the buyer of our current home) and the acknowledgment that this is just a little indigestion, not a terminal illness.
So, I ask you: When was the last time you visited the balcony? What kind of stress are you shouldering right now? Have you tried one of these practices to better manage your stress? What works for you?
Cheers!
-Deborah
Deborah Goldstein
DRIVEN Professionals / Forbes / Linkedin
info@drivenpros.com | LinkedIn
DRIVEN Professionals, 35 Adrienne Lane, Garrison, NY 10524