Is it settling?

This year has been a massive exercise in settling.

No, not what you're thinking. And not in a negative connotation.

I'm a planner...

...and planning helps keep me calm and keep the anxiety in lower levels.

However, no matter how great of a planner you are, there are things we can't plan for. Flat tires, traffic, loss, new opportunities presented to us, certain surprises, and so on.

It used to be when something unexpected happened, it would send my day into a tailspin because that wasn't how things were "supposed" to go. It wasn't planned.

Instead of fighting the unplanned and the seemingly inevitable tailspin, I've tried to take a new approach. I say this sucks, or I get mad or upset and I give myself a 90 second meltdown. And then I get to work. I say, okay, x happened. What can I do to get it fixed? If it's a flat tire - can I fix it, can I call someone to change the tire, does it need to be towed, can someone help me? Sure, it derails my day. It changes my plan. But it's happened.

It's a "sunk cost" for all you Accounting nerds. Basically it means that the thing has already happened, you can't change it, you can't get the money back.

Am I perfect? Absolutely not. Do I sometimes still spin out? 100%. But I at least try to keep my emotions in check. I actually started this a few years ago when I found out I had IBS because stress is a known item to cause a IBS flare up. And let's be real, no one wants that. Normally I wouldn't classify IBS as a blessing, but in this case, it truly has caused me to try to keep my stress levels low and realize what in fact is worthy of a freak out and rising stress levels.

This applies to all parts of your life. Are you someone that also gets worked up easily? Stressed out easily? Constant stress and worry about money? A new job? A house? The list could go on and on.

Start with one thing. One item. One action. One minute.

You don't have to perfect, you just have to start.

What's that thing in your life you want to "just start", put one foot in front of the other and start making progress? You can do it!

Need some help? Set up a free discovery call and let's chat.