How Was Your January?

January was a crazy busy month! My calendar was packed, and my nervous system was basically asking for a vacation. You know what I mean, right?

And while I can’t slow life down I can stay grounded in the middle of it. It’s taken me some time to figure out what works but here’s the short list. I hope these things can help you as well, and if you have some other suggestions, please share!

Here are 5 things I do to remain calm and centered when everything feels like a lot:

I stop trying to do it all at once.

I pick the next right thing and I do that. Multitasking is much more stressful, and I live by the phrase “be where your feet are.” Just saying that to myself helps ease the stress that comes when I look at my to-do list.

I protect my mornings.

Even 10 quiet minutes before the day starts makes a huge difference in how I show up. If it means having to get up extra early, so be it. The peace and quiet of starting my day quietly means that I can better handle whatever comes next.

I take micro-breaks.

Small pauses prevent meltdowns and restore my energy. It can be a walk around the block, a deep breath, yes, another espresso, or anything that breaks the flow of what I am doing and provides a little reset.

I lower the bar on perfection.

I follow the philosophy that not EVERYTHING must be done to perfection. For some things, good enough is good enough, and I am careful to recognize where I can give myself some slack and where perfection is the only option. Some days getting it done is the big accomplishment, while others require perfection. Knowing the difference is key.

I remind myself that I have a great support team.

The pressure is real and sometimes I feel a little insecure, but I am fortunate enough to have an amazing support team behind me. My “crew” helps me to accomplish more than I could ever accomplish alone, and I encourage everyone to build a network where you help each other.

The rest of the year lies ahead and it’s the perfect time to check in with yourself and see how you are doing, and what modifications might help you get through your days with more ease.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance.