How to Not Lose Your Mind (Or Sh*t)!

I don't know about you, but I think some of are losing our minds (or sh*t) at present. Are we working too hard? Are there just too many challenges and changes happening at present? Trying to keep up…aren’t we all? The juggling, stress, worry, pressure, demands and everything life is throwing at us at present can be just bloody overwhelming at times.

I think an essential (but not desired) part of life is the feeling that you're completely losing your shit in times like these. I don't know about you, but I am experiencing that feeling a little more at present as our many of our clients. Most of us will experience it at some point, and a select few of us will become experts in the art of "sh*t losing".

I don't want to brag as we coach and teach in this space especially as leaders, we can lose our minds or feel like we are breaking point at times, but I like to think of myself as a "sh*t storm expert" or as many of you know as the “courage crusader”. ?

So much so, that I've created my own little system to keep myself and others I work with together. I like to think I'm at a point where I can stay calm, courageous and cool under pressure, but I guess you'll have to try my tips and be the judge! How do we overcome losing our minds to stay courageous and kind?

Without further ado, here are my 10 ways to keep it together, when you think you're going to lose your sh*t and how to stay kind and courageous for yourself and others...

1. Breathe

Okay, now I know you're thinking, "Really? Breathing? Life changing tip..." But seriously... Sometimes I can get so overwhelmed and frustrated, I literally forget to breathe. Deep breathing is not only a good way to relax yourself, but doing it for a few minutes will also buy you some time to calm your ass down before you do something you'll regret, trust me as I know from experience. Great leaders know how to truly breathe.

2. Stillness is the key

Again, you must be thinking, "Are you kidding?". Think about it, we now have a lot more time to step back and be still, reflect, process and meditate. Recently I have been reading a brilliant book called Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday. Now this took some focus to practice stillness as I literally run at a million miles an hour, but stillness has made a massive difference to my leadership and mindset.

In this book, he outlines a path for achieving this ancient, but urgently necessary way of living. Drawing on a wide range of history’s greatest thinkers, from Confucius to Seneca, Marcus Aurelius to Thich Nhat Hanh, John Stuart Mill to Nietzsche, he argues that stillness is not mere inactivity, but the doorway to self-mastery, discipline, and focus. Give it a go.

3.?Create Positive Affirmations and Repeat

Really? Yes really! If you are actually saying this while reading this then give this a go - "I have got this!" Affirmations work! It is amazing what you can tell your brain. What I tell myself varies depending on the situation, but more times than not, my pep talks include building myself up with "You are a bad ass", "I am courageous" or "I've got this", or even "please don't lose your sh*t, you're too young for a life in prison". Honestly, it doesn't even matter what you tell yourself, but any positive thoughts repeated will help calm you down and make you feel more secure in the moment. That's what it's all about, getting yourself through the tough moments so you can pull yourself together.

4. Find The Silver Lining or the Positives

I know this can be tricky sometimes considering the state of the world and lack of toilet paper, but it is absolutely vital! When you feel like life is continuously crapping on you, you've got to find the silver lining. I get it. So many of us came into 2020 saying - "This is my year!" I was one of those. Then this sh*t happened. Then I started to think about what else can we do to overcome this and what are the positives. Those positives being that above all else, I am healthy, I have a supportive family and friends, a roof over my head, great team, an online program I can now market and at least now I have an excuse to finish my book... No matter how bad things get, there is always a silver lining.

5. Throw Your Life Raft To Your Friends and Trusted Network

Sometimes all you really need is a good vent session. My friends and network are some of the most important people my in life. Guess what, we are all in this together too! Last week I truly lost my sh*t and had a bit of a cry, so I called my friends and some of my network. It is amazing how people rally together during times like this and afterwards I felt a million times better. This might be a shocker, but I am not a superhero, and either are you?

I believe it is ABSOLUTELY vital to our mental health. Message me any time too, literally, I am always here for you.

6. Ask For Help

This brings me to the next tip. Guess what, I was never this person. My daughter once bought me a wonder woman cape as she said she felt I was her and sometimes she felt I wasn't. ARGH....! My whole life I have prided myself on being this bad ass, independent, strong, which I still am obviously but, if becoming a leader has taught me anything, it's that sometimes you have to ask for help. No one can be perfect all the time. No one on the planet has all the answers. We all need help sometimes, and we shouldn't be afraid or ashamed to ask for it.

7. Practice Gratitude

Remember last week when I said I lost it, I did. I started to think about everything that wasn't going right then started making up stories of things in my head that could turn bad. Easy to do, right? Then I picked myself up and thought to myself - "I coach in this space!" Time to put on my big coach pants and coach myself. So I started to write and think abut what I am grateful for. Here was my list if you decided see my post on this and would love you to write on the comments yours too. Remember attention goes, energy flows.

What am I grateful for...

Health, beautiful daughter, wonderful family & friends, incredible clients and associates, my speaking and books, my home (and I have moved 3 times in 2 years – another story!), my network, brilliant team, our purpose and vision to build a world of kind & courageous leaders, leadership, kindness and courage I am seeing…and I could go on and on. We are in this together. ??

What are you grateful for?

8. Find Your Outlet

It's an old familiar feeling. The one that starts as a pit in my gut. Stress, worry and anxiety. I can feel it building. I am about to lose my sh*t or get into a negative mindset again. When this feeling strikes, I know I need to find an outlet. For some people it's screaming, for others it's crying or it's even going for a run...Me? I love to dance or learn! I can't explain it. It might even sound weird. However, I either love to play music loud and dance with my whole heart or grab a leadership book and started reading and writing lots of notes about what I learnt. But the point is to find whatever outlet works for you. Get all that negative energy out.

9. Do Something for Someone Else

This kindness gig really works, trust me. Not only does being kind gives us dopamine, it also creates a kindness ripple effect. I have been on this kindness movement for years and from what I am seeing today, we need kindness more than ever. Kindness is a SUPERPOWER even though I said we are not superheroes, we can be super humans by being truly kind, compassionate and considerate to others. It doesn't take a lot to be kind. If you want to know more about Kindness -?read this?as it's my 12 rules. What to be a great leader (or person for that matter) practice kindness.

10. Breathe Some More & Hugs (or Air Hugs)

Yeah, yeah, yeah... we're back to the whole breathing thing. But I promise it helps. What helps more? Hugging your kids, people you care about, pets - whoever that might be. I get we are all in this social distancing thing however we are connection machines and social beings and we need connection and love.

Finally reach out if we can help if you are truly losing your sh*t, practice these tips and please courageous and kind.

Sonia x

By?Sonia McDonald?– CEO Of?LeadershipHQ?And?McDonald Inc.?Leadership Coach, Global Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneur, CEO And Award Winning Author.

When Sonia speaks, everyone in the room feels like she is having a conversation with them as her audience will feel as if they are the only one in the room. She speaks from the heart. She is brave. She wants everyone to be brave. She is an impactful and motivational leadership expert and speaker that creates a life-changing experience. People call Sonia sassy, inspirational, real and a speaker who leaves a lasting impression. Her high-energy, authenticity and humour combined with actionable and practical advice, empowers her audience and provides them with great drive and confidence to take courageous action sand inspire great leadership in all aspects of their lives.

She is also a renowned and award-winning author, having written several of her own books, Leadership Attitude, Just Rock It! and First Comes Courage as well as being a regular contributor in The Australian, HRD Magazine, Smart Healthy Women and Women’s Business Media. She was named as one of the Top 250 Influential Women in the world as well as Top 100 Australian Entrepreneurs by Richtopia.

Through her leadership advisory and coaching work at LeadershipHQ, and founding the Outstanding Leadership Awards, Sonia is internationally recognised as an expert in leadership and culture, organisational development, neuroscience, kindness, and courage.

She is also a full-time single parent and has a passion for women in business and teenage mental health. Sonia travels and speaks across Australia and Globe, and she is on a mission to building a world of great leaders and leadership.?