As we head towards the end of the year, my days seem to be speeding up! Is it the same for you? Of course the days aren’t speeding up as we have the same time in every day, so it’s just a feeling. And I really think we can guide this feeling to ensure healthy wellbeing – even in the busiest of times. Super conscious many of you in the southern hemisphere are in the thick of harvest and or planting right now.
I love the work of social science researcher Dr Brene Brown and especially this quote of hers; “When you are in uncertainty, don’t tap out. Stay brave.” Well, I’m happy to share that with some major milestones and projects to be completed by mid December, I’m feeling uncertain and I really do want to just tap out for a while!!! So, here I am sharing some ways of staying brave in the face of fast paced uncertainty (ie crazyness) in the hope they might help you too.
1. Recognise when your pace changes and things get busy. Things might even feel a bit crazy. This is not the time to start something new. This is the time to focus on what needs to be done and to do it.
2. Routines are good for us. These bring a sense of direction and achievement. Routines can change when you’re busy – acknowledge this! This change in routine is not forever. It has an end point.
3. Check in with your self talk. And especially so when things don’t go to plan or mess up. Speak more kindly to yourself during these times than you ordinarily would. I’ve read many times that we are much harder on ourselves than anyone else would ever be. So lighten up – the person who is hardest on ourselves.
4. Speak up for what you need. No one is a mind reader, so when things are busy and it can all feel like things are out of control, take time to work out what you need. And then rally to make this happen.
5. Check in / de-brief. This could be with a family member, a trusted friend, a colleague or you can pay for this support. Paid support is extremely valuable when you looking for objective input / support without having to maintain a personal relationship in the mix.
Over to You
Take some time to think about how things are travelling for you right now. And if you’re in that busy / crazy time where you’re just not sure how you’re going to manage everything, then have a go at any of these 5 things. I’d love to hear how it goes and also if you have a suggestion or something that works for you.
