Life update From London Heathrow, Trying to Do it All Yourself When You're Overwhelmed and How-To Tips

Hey everyone!

It’s been a hot minute since I came on here and wrote a newsletter.

I’m sitting at the airport in London ready to fly to Lisbon where I’ll be for the next month. Lisbon, and Portugal, have been a big part of my life over the last 12-18 months coinciding with my move into entrepreneurship and full-time coaching - and travelling!

For anyone who knows me, I’m a sun and warmth lover so I’ve been on a quest to try various places around the world that can satisfy my need for both. As I’ve grown ‘older’ (I always feel like this sounds like I’m ancient, which I’m not! And it’s all a matter of perspective right?) I’ve appreciated and needed, more nature, a slower pace of life and community. Lisbon to me has been that happy medium. Nice weather, blue skies, good people, close to beaches and plenty of hiking trails, and various communities in wellness, business, or anything really - if you’re looking for community guaranteed there’s a WhatsApp group for it!)

Now, back to the purpose of this Newsletter. I realised I’ve grown this to just under 600 subscribers, which to me is mind-blowing! A) because I appreciate you entrusting me with your time to subscribe AND read (well I hope!) this newsletter especially when there is a plethora of content out there and B) because I have more newsletter subscribers than on my email list! So, I want to make sure that you get a blend of value, real-life updates and the latest in what I’m doing from the coaching arena in case you’re in a place of feeling stuck or at a crossroads in your career, or life, and want some help.

Something that came up for a client (and me!) this week was when to ask for help. This particular client whom I started working with earlier this year but hadn’t had a session with since June, said he had been so busy and overwhelmed with some BIG shifts in his life; selling his house, health issues with his parents and himself, new career opportunities and juggling all of it! He said he didn’t have the ‘time’! The irony is that this is the best time to ask for help, to help with making sense of what’s a priority and what isn’t, to work through the ‘monkey brain’ of all the things swirling in your head. By virtue of talking through things, you’re almost always able to process the situation(s) whilst having a sounding board to find a solution. As our session concluded I always ask ‘what are your key takeaways’. He said he felt so much clearer and at ease after talking through things that the ‘chaos’ that he was feeling almost dissipated and he was not only clear about what he needed to do but also realised how far he had come in the last 9 months (sometimes we get so stuck in the negative and the here and now that we forget to zoom out and reflect on how far we’ve come). He came out of the call with a renewed sense of energy and motivation about the next few months AND accomplishment in where he is.

The other key point I helped him to realise is that when we are going through a big change, or ‘up levelling’ as I call it, life will always test you and throw you challenges. That’s part of growth and progression. Otherwise, if you were comfortable staying where you are, you wouldn't learn and grow.. and you’d be exactly where you are today. So it’s part of the process; to take big quantum leaps you have to go through big quantum upgrades (and challenges) sometimes. But you WILL come out stronger on the other end. Just knowing that can be comforting in itself!

Are you going through a lot in your life at the moment?

Do you feel like it’s all just caving in?

Are you struggling to see the forest amongst the trees?

Here are a few tips:

?? Write down everything on your to-do list. I love writing everything down that’s occupying my mind!

?? Circle the things that are a priority (if you don’t know your life priority areas try the Wheel of Life exercise (you can google it) and pick 3 areas in your life that are a priority for the next 3-6 months.

?? Diarise the priority items - and stick to it! Set boundaries with yourself AND others.

?? Bonus tip: Practise saying NO to ppl and things that are NOT a priority. There’s a clear link between people-pleasing, saying yes to everything and overwhelm. Try saying NO to someone/something this week that isn’t a priority ??

If you want support there are two ways in which you can work with me now:

?? 1:1 Coaching - Book a Complimentary 1:1 Call here.

?? My 5-week group programme - starting next Monday 14th October.

If either of these pique your interest drop me a message and let’s chat.

Susanna