Many of us live in constant fear that something will go wrong with our day. We hurry through our activities in an effort to get them done before that next phone call, question or interruption happens. Before you know it, the day is gone. Sadly, you spent your day in a state of anxiety – trying in vain to stay two steps ahead of the crowd. Now, you are physically and mentally drained. What if you could step away from this rigid approach to life? Imagine what it would be like to experience a lot more ease and fun in your day. With a minor shift in your approach to life, you can be on your way to better days.
It is very likely that you are already aware of the things that rob you of your most productive moments. You really do know what causes you to feel anxious, sad or angry. The key to thriving amidst the unexpected is to make room for it. Yes. Make room for it! Instead of sinking into a dark hole every time someone disappoints you or something arises out of the blue, greet it as if it were a curious little child who wants to know what you are made of. Trust that there is something better just beyond this situation.
Thriving amidst unexpected or unpleasant situations requires a bit of introspection. That is, taking a look at who you are now and who you intend to be. Finding the “You Are Here” marker on the map of life will help you to easily navigate your way to your preferred destination. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you make an effort to harmonize with life’s unexpected moments:
- When am I the most creative, energetic, productive, centered and happy? Who is around? What does the environment look like?
- What makes me feel frustrated, angry, sad or overwhelmed? What people or circumstances have I been in contact with? Is this environment having an adverse effect on me? What happened before I began to feel this way?
Now that you have asked a few basic self-examination questions, consider other influencers such as what you ate, watched or heard during the day. Once this is done, you are ready to make a shift.
Let’s get started. Using the answers to the questions above, figure out the minimum period of rest, meditation, healthy food, music, quiet time, motivation or interaction you need to feel your best. Focus on what YOU feel you need rather than what you others suggest. Following what you feel intuitively will help you to create lasting change.
Next, designate one or more periods during the day when you will do something that helps you feel more relaxed, energetic, creative, centered or happy.
Tip: Complete at least one of these activities as early in your day as possible such as before work or during your first break. It will make a huge difference in your ability to navigate the circumstances of your life. It may mean getting up earlier, taking your break alone or turning off the TV. Commit to doing whatever it takes! Here is a quick example to clarify this suggestion a bit further:
When Mona sleeps until 7 a.m., she awakens to a multitude of requests from clients, family and friends. Soon, she is rushing through or skipping her morning meditation, breakfast and exercise –the things that make her feel energized and clear-headed. By noon, she is running out of steam and feels fatigued. The number of unexpected events in her day seem to be on the rise. She spends the remainder of the day scrambling to regain control. When Mona awakes at 5 am, her time is her own. The family is asleep and clients are not expecting her to be available. She uses this quiet time to pray, meditate, exercise, eat something healthy and mentally prepare before starting her workday. On these days, Mona finds herself handling unexpected things confidently and getting back on track very quickly. She also notices that when she starts her day this way, she remembers to take a brief time-out later in the day to rejuvenate. As the day comes to a close, Mona feels good and looks forward to another productive day tomorrow.
When we take an expanded look at typical interruptions and distractions, we see that we have a choice in every moment. With a little preparation, we can ensure that our day flows with the current of life rather than against it. No matter what other people say or do, you can always reach for higher ground. The more you commit to feeling good and being happy, the more often positive experiences will come your way.
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Copyright Stephanie Graham/CompleteMortgageProcessing All rights reserved. This article may not be reprinted, distributed or used in other applications without the express written consent of the author.