Leaders with a Mentor Mindset know to avoid STRESS by continually re-focusing on what they want to achieve. They show those they lead how to avoid Sinking Thinking Reliving Every Scary Situation (STRESS) too.
As amazingly sophisticated as the brain is, most psychologists confer that it can only consciously focus on one thought at a time.
The good news / bad news is we direct our own thoughts and most of our thoughts become habitual. We either make it a habit of focusing and refocusing on what is going well or what’s not. Since our feelings and emotions are preceded by our thoughts, our focus and habitual thinking is either forming an upward spiral or downward spiral of emotion within us. I.e., the better it gets, the better it gets or the worse it gets, the worse it gets.
Consider making this your new 5 step habit to break free of the pattern of STRESS:
- Become clear on 2-3 desired outcomes you want to positively affect in your work and in your life over the next 30 days. It could be making or saving more money; deepening a relationship; successfully completing an important project; or training for and completing your first 5K running race.
- Pick one and breath in the most important thing to your existence…oxygen. Many people who are stressed have a habit of breathing very shallow. Take a deep inhalation of oxygen pushing your diaphragm out as you fill your body up with what it needs. That breath you just took will help your digestion, improve your blood pressure and heart rate, strengthen your immune system, help clean your lungs, provide more energy, and sharpen your mind.
- Claim your power identity with an “I am” statement. See that part of yourself who you must bring forth in ordeer to bring about your desired outcomes. Raise your current self-image to that level by stating an “I am…” statement. Here is an example for finishing that important project, “I am one of the most resourceful and powerful people I know. I am focused and I get things done. I am confident and energized!”
- Associate to your vision of your ideal life/work situation 5 years from now having stepped up and operated from your power identity today and moving toward completing your desired outcomes.
- Take another deep, centering breath in as you imagine and feel your power and release any STRESS.
These five steps complete a cycle that creates an impulse within you so you are more easily able to refocus on that which you want rather than that which you don’t want.
Next time you feel stressed, realize you are in a pattern and you can break the pattern by moving through the 5 steps above. Remember to do this as often as you can. It only takes a few minutes and will profoundly affect the rest of your life.