A recent theme in my life and in my practice has been struggle. Whether you have been impacted by layoffs, break-ups, illness or anything else that feels hard, it can really trigger our inner gremlins. Here are a few insights to help navigate the rocky waters:
Zoom out. While we can't control the occurrence of struggles, we can adopt a broader perspective and establish strong principles to guide us through the challenges we face. I recommend Ray Dalio's Children's book to my clients as it offers valuable insights. You can find the YouTube version here. (Special thanks to my Google mentor Claire Mudd for introducing me to this book).
Humans are wired for struggle. Struggle is an inherent part of the human journey. In fact, if we try to protect ourselves from the lows- we only miss out on the highs (and still feel the lows). Sometimes we just have to sit in the sh&t.
Tell your story. When you are ready, take back some power and let go of the shame by owning your story. This practice will strengthen your resilience over time and move that vulnerability into compassion and strength. We need more of that in our leaders- and you might help someone else or create connection in the process.
Reach out. Find people that have experienced your situation and share. Not only can you get great advice, it will make you feel less alone.
Control is not possible. Scary much? Especially for us high achievers out there. But what if the opposite of control was trust? What would it look like if you trusted yourself unconditionally? I’d encourage you to sit with that idea.
What are other tools or tips do you have when dealing with adversity? I'd love to hear from you.
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