When I ask clients to create a vision of their optimal self (i.e., when they won’t need coaching anymore), we discuss how they will manage a wide range of distractions. For the minor, chronic distractions, clients may declare “No technology in the bedroom. I’ll be using an old-fashioned alarm clock instead.” “I’ll clean up my office at the end of every day.” Good solutions for the minor distractions.
Then I ask, how will you deal with the major distractions; the ones that tug at your emotional stability and hijack your thinking brain? The ones for which you have little control: pandemics, major shortages of all kinds, political insanity and threats of nuclear war?
All kinds of distraction share some degree of “comfort.” Or we justify a distraction as more “important” than what we should be doing. It’s more comfortable to watch TV instead of doing your taxes. It feels more important, in a weird way, to scroll footage of the war’s devastation than to do marketing research or see what your competition is up to.
I’m sure I sound cold-hearted to some readers, but folks, you know what you’re doing. Fretting or allowing yourself to be consumed by major distractions will exact a huge toll on you and your enterprise. Certainly, stay informed. Problem solve if these major distractions pose a threat to your business. But avoid falling into the comfort trap or assigning importance to events that diminish your priorities.
The devil is in the distractions! Learn how to curb distractions of all kinds. Contact me at Rebecca@MindfulCommunication.com.
Perhaps it’s the end of the year, the anticipation of the New Year, distraction or something, but a complaint that frequently crops up in coaching these days is: trouble making decisions.
How you feel about a decision should, no doubt, be recognized. But, at some point, when our emotions start to gum up the decision-making process, we need to revert back to thinking mode. The wide range of emotions cloud the process and extend the time it takes to make a well “thought out” decision.
Damon, an owner of a health food startup, was faced with the dilemma of letting a talented, well-liked, but defiant employee go. He cited several concerns that put him in a state of decision-making paralysis. Once he made a decision, he realized other factors he had forgotten and retracted the decision. The constant flip-flopping made him question his competence as a leader, affected his sleep and added to his distractibility. After a couple weeks of woeful waffling, we took the step of putting the pros and cons on paper.
Not only an aid to working memory (the ability to hold several factors online in your head while you make a decision), writing down the pros and cons helped distance Damon from the emotional upheaval. If you’re on the fence, good ole “putting pen to paper” brings a decision-making process into better focus.
Hampered by distraction? Trouble keeping your focus under stress? CoreCoaching can help. Contact me at Rebecca@MIndfulCommunication.com
Emotional self-regulation is an essential core skill for a founder. When challenges mount up, vulnerabilities are unveiled that could sabotage your ability to make good decisions, listen mindfully and get back on track.
For the sake of your startup, know the options for managing your emotions. Here are three routes to consider:
Feeling stressed, tired and aggravated a lot more lately? Is this is a problem you can solve yourself? Are you taking time to relax and re-center yourself? Are you getting good quality sleep and exercise? Can you identify the root of your distress and make the needed adjustments?
Perhaps your anxiety and low mood are due to weaknesses in your executive functioning, communication or leadership skills? Coaching can help. However, a good coach knows when a client needs more than coaching and will direct you to more appropriate services.
Emotional problems stemming from chronic depression, mood swings, insomnia, trauma and dysfunctional relationships are best treated with therapy with or without medication. If you neglect self-care or are drawn to addictive behaviors, these are also good reasons to seek a psychologist or mental health professional as soon as possible.
For more information on CoreCoaching, contact me at Rebecca@MindfulCommunication.com. For a qualified psychotherapist, check out the therapy directory at www.PsychologyToday.com.
Rebecca’s CoreFour Coaching
"It takes more than courage to be an Entrepreneur, it takes CORE." Find out more.
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When I ask clients to create a vision of their optimal self (i.e., when they won’t need coaching anymore), we discuss how they will manage a wide range of distractions. For the minor, chronic distractions, clients may declare “No technology in the bedroom. I’ll be using an old-fashioned alarm clock instead.” “I’ll clean up my office at the end of every day.” Good solutions for the minor distractions.
Perhaps it’s the end of the year, the anticipation of the New Year, distraction or something, but a complaint that frequently crops up in coaching these days is: trouble making decisions.
Emotional self-regulation is an essential core skill for a founder. When challenges mount up, vulnerabilities are unveiled that could sabotage your ability to make good decisions, listen mindfully and get back on track.
"It takes more than courage to be an Entrepreneur, it takes CORE."