Hi there,
I don't know about you but for me, this week has been bloody hard. In fact, I’ve been nothing short of a miserable little toad.
I’ve not been well, which I find immediately hits my mental health.
Plus some business that I thought was coming in, isn’t ready for sign-off just yet.
Plus a new piece of business has thrown up a few curve balls.
Plus my train was delayed.
I mean… I could go on but you get the picture. Told you - a right little misery.
Now, here’s the thing, a lot of really good stuff has happened this week too but my negative-nelly eyes haven’t seen them - at all. I’ve unconsciously been zooming in on all of the bad stuff.
Like a real life Dementor, I’ve swept around, sucking the joy out of the world and leaving it somewhat lifeless in my wake. Not brilliant for workplace wellbeing or morale.
My poor team.
Anyway, this does, rather nicely, bring me on to two crucial things.
The bit of me that isn’t an evil entity from Harry Potter, does know that I won’t always feel like this. In fact, probably as soon as I get rid of this cold and stop snuffling Day Nurse, I’ll be back to the not dissimilar energy levels of a Teletubby doing a happy dance.
I also know that my capacity to catastrophise really does know no bounds and I am a total terror for telling myself ‘woe-betide-tales’!
The best thing I can do right now, is have a proper little word with myself about what a drama-queen I’m being and, crucially limit my contact with others so I don’t spread this mood like gremlins around other, highly-undeserving people!
It’s at moments like these, when you’re feeling like an overused teabag, that you baton down the hatches and change your vision of success - stop pushing yourself to achieve, achieve, achieve and just focus on getting through the day, causing no harm to yourself and others!
The mark of a brilliant leader is self-awareness. So, for the love of God, be aware of the times when you’re likely to do more harm than good, and be kind to yourself and others to get through it as quickly as possible. Rather than pushing yourself and spending the following day hastily making amends like Kanye’s crisis management team.
So, if you’re feeling a bit under par yourself, here’s your sure-fire list for managing yourself (and others), when your brain is being very mean to you:
- Right-size - whilst catastrophisation is an easy go to, do try and keep things in perspective. What has ‘actually’ happened? What impact has it honestly had? Keep things in perspective as you face forward.
- Connect - struggling with that perspective? Well, ask the opinion of a trusted source. No, I don’t mean off-load, I mean ask to be challenged. Agree together what you can be curious about and how you could objectively look at the things differently.
- Change your metrics - when the outcomes are feeling sh*tty, lower your expectations. Can you just get through the day? Yes, of course you can.
- Minimise your impact - if you know that your mental state is a little less balanced than normal and you’re likely to be more triggered than Taylor Swift during a Super Bowl roast, for God’s sake try not to be around too many people. Your goal for the day is damage limitation - so zip it, Shrimpy.
- Pick up different glasses - I really don’t want to be all Disney here but there are always things to be grateful for in every situation - and it can really help you to re-frame what’s happening. So, next time things feel super hard, jot down at least three things you’re feeling, learning or growing from… it will help, I promise.
I hope it helps. And if you or your team could benefit from some workplace coaching on how to deal with difficult situations, take a look at our programmes and get in touch!
Have a great week!
Cate x
Hi there,
I don't know about you but for me, this week has been bloody hard. In fact, I’ve been nothing short of a miserable little toad.
I’ve not been well, which I find immediately hits my mental health.
Plus some business that I thought was coming in, isn’t ready for sign-off just yet.
Plus a new piece of business has thrown up a few curve balls.
Plus my train was delayed.
I mean… I could go on but you get the picture. Told you - a right little misery.
Now, here’s the thing, a lot of really good stuff has happened this week too but my negative-nelly eyes haven’t seen them - at all. I’ve unconsciously been zooming in on all of the bad stuff.
Like a real life Dementor, I’ve swept around, sucking the joy out of the world and leaving it somewhat lifeless in my wake. Not brilliant for workplace wellbeing or morale.
My poor team.
Anyway, this does, rather nicely, bring me on to two crucial things.
The bit of me that isn’t an evil entity from Harry Potter, does know that I won’t always feel like this. In fact, probably as soon as I get rid of this cold and stop snuffling Day Nurse, I’ll be back to the not dissimilar energy levels of a Teletubby doing a happy dance.
I also know that my capacity to catastrophise really does know no bounds and I am a total terror for telling myself ‘woe-betide-tales’!
The best thing I can do right now, is have a proper little word with myself about what a drama-queen I’m being and, crucially limit my contact with others so I don’t spread this mood like gremlins around other, highly-undeserving people!
It’s at moments like these, when you’re feeling like an overused teabag, that you baton down the hatches and change your vision of success - stop pushing yourself to achieve, achieve, achieve and just focus on getting through the day, causing no harm to yourself and others!
The mark of a brilliant leader is self-awareness. So, for the love of God, be aware of the times when you’re likely to do more harm than good, and be kind to yourself and others to get through it as quickly as possible. Rather than pushing yourself and spending the following day hastily making amends like Kanye’s crisis management team.
So, if you’re feeling a bit under par yourself, here’s your sure-fire list for managing yourself (and others), when your brain is being very mean to you:
- Right-size - whilst catastrophisation is an easy go to, do try and keep things in perspective. What has ‘actually’ happened? What impact has it honestly had? Keep things in perspective as you face forward.
- Connect - struggling with that perspective? Well, ask the opinion of a trusted source. No, I don’t mean off-load, I mean ask to be challenged. Agree together what you can be curious about and how you could objectively look at the things differently.
- Change your metrics - when the outcomes are feeling sh*tty, lower your expectations. Can you just get through the day? Yes, of course you can.
- Minimise your impact - if you know that your mental state is a little less balanced than normal and you’re likely to be more triggered than Taylor Swift during a Super Bowl roast, for God’s sake try not to be around too many people. Your goal for the day is damage limitation - so zip it, Shrimpy.
- Pick up different glasses - I really don’t want to be all Disney here but there are always things to be grateful for in every situation - and it can really help you to re-frame what’s happening. So, next time things feel super hard, jot down at least three things you’re feeling, learning or growing from… it will help, I promise.
I hope it helps. And if you or your team could benefit from some workplace coaching on how to deal with difficult situations, take a look at our programmes and get in touch!
Have a great week!
Cate x
