Your Brain, Your Business, Your Bottom Line...Connecting the Dots for Maximum Results!

Dang...
I got into major overwhelm this last week! It was one of those to "practice what I preach and teach" kind of experiences.

My little boy John got pretty sick with the stomach flu, which lead to severe dehydration. What should have been a quick visit to ER turned into 3 days and 2 nights in the hospital! (The funniest part was when they gave him some anti-nausea medicine which made him completely stoned. Nothing like seeing your seven year old high as a kite.)

So three nights of little sleep did not go well with me, aka "The Spunky Coach." I should have been called "The Cranky Coach" as my reserves were depleted and everything seemed hard and overwhelming. Do you know that feeling?

I once heard the Dali Lama say that "fatique is the enemy of compassion," and I totally understand that when in a state of overwhelm. In my case, mostly it's a lack of compassion towards myself, but then those around me may have a different opinion as well.

If you have a business, have a family, and have a pulse, you from time to time have gotten into the state where you are running on fumes, lose your spark, and generally think life sucks!

Here's how to turn it around.....

• Stay in the day. No, it really hasn't been this horrible since the beginning of time, nor will it be this nightmarish hell until time ends. Take it one day at a time. Yea, it may be tough right now, but you can get through anything for one day, or even one hour.
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• Keep perspective. Yes, you may have it bad, but there's always someone worse. Poor me. In a beautiful hospital with my son in a private room, internet access, 24-hour cafe open, and a chance to go home in a few days versus being on a death watch. It's all about counting your blessings even when things seem dark and hard.
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• Go with what grounds you. For some people getting back in to nature refreshes and energizes, while others may find prayer or meditation to be the tonic. Maybe it's going for a run or eating a Krispy Kreme donut. Step back from your life and business. Too often when it gets overwhelming we think we have to do more. To the contrary...the doing more is not getting us the results we need. Give yourself permission to walk away from what's overwhelming you for awhile.
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• Outsource. What can you let go of? This is a biggie, as most biz owners think no one else can do it as good as they can. If you are capable of making $150/hr in your trade, why are you cleaning your house, washing your car, and ironing your shirts? Loral Langemeier (www.liveoutloud.com) says that Millionaire Business Owners don't do this stuff! Hire an admin, barter some services out if you don't have the cash flow yet, or get creative about what else you can let go of.
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• Reconnect with your big vision. Why are you doing what you are doing? If we get so bogged down into the day to day stuff, we forget the BIG why of our work. Often just taking time to see yourself in the future, with all the success you have earned is enough to get you back on track.
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• Do service work. Again, get out of your life and give something to your community. There is no better way to feel good about what you do and who you are than to help someone or some organization you believe in. It doesn't have to even be a lot of time, but you will transcend yourself when you align with something who's mission is bigger than your problems.

Hey... what strategies do you use? I'll share them in future posts.
Hope this was helpful. Want more information about overwhelm? I wrote an e-book on the subject and would love to send it to you. Just shoot me an email at spunkycoach@cox.net and I'll be glad to get you a copy.

Thanks for reading. Focus on the good in your life, and hug the people you love.

All my best,

Therese Skelly
www.MoreSmallBizSuccess.com
www.AcceleratingYourSuccess.com
602-369-0091