PREVENTING OVERWHELM!

Earlier this year I began a journey to become a certified life and health coach. This was a direct response to some difficult experiences in the last few years. I knew that I needed to do something about it, something different, and I’m so glad I made that decision.

Like many of us, I have attended multiple schools. I have been lucky enough to also attend these different schools in different countries, and under different systems. When I started this journey, the school I chose, Health Coach Institute, started off the program in a way I had never experienced. They set us up to succeed. They acknowledged all the differences we have and the fact that sometimes life can get in the way. It was a six-month long program, but you had a year to complete it, simply because they knew that sometimes life can get in the way. At that time, they didn’t even know about Covid-19.

Prior to classes officially starting, they also spoke to us about different tips to prevent feeling overwhelmed. I found this immensely helpful, and as I have worked with clients for this past year, I find that it is suitable for life in general. I wanted to share them all with you with the hopes that you might see them as useful.

STEP BY STEP – Like in everything we do, if we focus on one thing at a time, it is much easier to get started and keep going. Some of us require smaller steps, depending on what we want to accomplish, and there is nothing wrong with smaller steps. In fact, sometimes, if we don’t take those smaller steps, we never go anywhere.

TIME MANAGEMENT – We all have a million things we would like to accomplish. Some of us write lists and cross items off as we move along. Others may look at that list and get completely overwhelmed. One of the things recommended was actually writing the list into a calendar with a day and time. This is part of setting ourselves up for success. Most of us are able to get up and go to work or school on time because it is scheduled. Make time and schedule it for the things that are important!

WE DON’T NEED TO BE PERFECT! WE JUST NEED TO BE IN PROGRESS – This is one of those times where we once again put so much pressure on ourselves, and if we feel that we have failed, we sometimes quit all together. Here’s a news flash!! We will always have things to work on or work towards. If we stop asking ourselves to do everything perfectly and at once, then maybe we can instead acknowledge the things we do accomplish and then be inspired to move forward. This is one of those times where simply making the bed each day can be that accomplishment that pushes us forward, because if nothing else, we started the day by making the bed!

COMPARE AND DESPAIR – Our journeys are unique to us. Therefore, two people will never be at the same place, at the same time, on the same path. We need to stop comparing ourselves to the people around us. We need to stop comparing one person to someone else. Our journeys are our own, and regardless of where we are, believe that we are right where we are supposed to be. The process works.

TRUST THE PROCESS – When you find yourself asking the why’s and the how’s and so on… remember to trust the process. Very often our questions might be future based or not even related to us at all, and sometimes we just don’t have the answers…YET.