Overwhelm, the shower and my leader within

Bare with me if you think this sounds like a bit of an odd post. Have you ever been working really well, in flow, feeling effective, motivated and full of positivity, with ideas a plenty and action to match the thinking? You know that feeling when everything seems to be clicking into place on something you have been debating or working towards for a while. That time when you actually find the space and attention to focus because you are motivated and inspired. That time when you find it relatively easy to push yourself out of your comfort zone.

And then it happens.

With a bang enters the curveball, a new perspective and a challenge which brings with it the potential for chaos and overwhelm. The brain goes into overdrive and suddenly the space and focus you had is filled with noise and confused thinking. Positivity is replaced by anxiety. Action starts to slow or stops completely. Procrastination kicks in.

Recently I have been working on a creation of a new online course and a curveball swung in in an email early last week which posed a question which then played on my mind for a few days. Then over the weekend someone else gave me insight and opinions which challenges my ideas. Within a space of 24 hours I went from full speed ahead to a stumble and a stall. Overwhelmed with thoughts, internal arguments and procrastination.

The thing is, when you are thinking and working on something so much it is bound to happen. If you are so positive and comfortable with something you will talk about it more openly and therefore you invite feedback. With any uncertainty there will always be fear lurking, with your gremlin ready to strike and fill the mind with doubt. Curveballs have to be expected and it’s how you can manage yourself through a period of unsettled thinking and avoid overwhelm, which demonstrates your true effectiveness and potential. You have to engage the leader within.

Managing overwhelm is not simple, but it is easier with a Self-leadership mindset and a tool box of strategies which will enable you to quickly and effectively re-group and move forward.

One of my personal and favourite strategies is the shower – yep we got there. It may sound silly to label it a strategy but when you understand yourself and your personal triggers of effectiveness then it in fact does become a strategy in a toolbox. For me more often or not it’s when I’m in the shower that things get back into perspective. It’s where suddenly my leader from within starts to coach me effectively, calm me and help clear the mind of fog, negativity and overwhelm. I’m not sure why – perhaps it’s the soothing nature of the water, the closed off sensation from the world, the lack of interruption or even just breaking from one task to another.

Self-leadership strategies are personal and come from your own personal insight and self awareness. Self-leadership strategies come in many forms and quirks when you understand yourself. Now let me just add I don’t get stuck and then just jump up and head for a shower, don’t get me wrong. There is a time and place for every strategy! The point I’m making here, is that the key to ensuring you keep overwhelm at bay is a good level of strong self awareness. Then with this insight you can manage your thinking and your actions, to dig into your personal toolbox of strategies which you know work for you and thereby ensure you maintain performance effectiveness.

The power of ‘Engaging your leader within’ can transform your performance and effectiveness and will ensure overwhelm remains in hand.

Visit my website to find out more about how you can engage your leader within, book a FREE discovery session and for FREE coaching resources.