How to stay grounded when life gets full

Last week was full for me. It was full of great stuff, work I enjoy and find energising but by the end of the week I felt exhausted, a bit wobbly and struggled to focus.

Here is what I noticed.

• My normal daily routine of a dog walk, yoga and reflection went out of the window because I was travelling. (Yoga on a Travelodge carpet didn't really appeal to me.) Without some sort of daily grounding practice I tend to move into autopilot and become less self-aware and present.
• Delivering two days of face to face training was amazing, hugely energising but also exhausting. In breaks I found myself reaching for my phone to keep on top of emails but actually I could have stayed grounded by staying focused, being present and mindful.
• Light has a huge impact on my energy and wellbeing. I'm hugely excited that the days are lengthening but a week of solid rain (after basking in the Spanish sun) was a bit of a shock. Seeking moments of light is key for me.
• What stopped me from having a complete Friday meltdown was the fact that I had planned for a full week and what I was doing was in alignment with my values and my business objectives. It felt hugely satisfying to have connected to?over 65 individuals through training, coaching, peer support and my own professional development. Connection is something I value. Having flexibility and variety in my week kept me excited and motivated. Setting aside time for my own growth (even when it was busy) had a lot of impact.

So how can you keep grounded when life is full?

• Find your non negotiable routines that help you be present, find calm and plan. Plan ahead if life is busy. What can you tweak and still fit in?
• Notice what energises you and what de-energises you. We all have to do work that de-energises us, the trick is to balance that with work that gives us energy.
• Notice and be mindful. I find meditation very hard.?Instead, particularly this time of year, I love to step into my garden each day and observe how much the plants and shrubs have grown. Or look up and notice the sun setting - notice how it is setting a little bit further towards the west each day. Notice the light streaming into my house - where the shadows fall how it is changing each day.
• Find your values, check how aligned your life and work is. Ask what can I change to help me life more in my values?
• Put both feet on the ground and take 10 deep breaths.

Staying grounded and feeling balanced is about making tiny adjustments not seeking to make radical, unrealistic changes to your life. In yoga when we do a balance my body is making tiny adjustments (or sometimes huge wobbles) that is balance. Each adjustment or wobble is building your muscles and helping you to balance more effectively next time.

If you want support in staying grounded and balanced let me know because I know that coaching can help.

If you want to explore further How to Find Your Values?then listen to my?UNLOCKING POTENTIAL podcast, download the workbook and join me live on Tuesday?29 February?at 1pm?in London for an informal Lunch and Learn. Where you will have the space to explore your values further and ask me questions.?

Let's flow,

Emily?