Don’t put so much emphasis on what other people think of you
Even though I have personally noticed a slight increase in awareness for mental health and wellbeing in the world and also in the workplace I still feel there is a lot to be done. People are often afraid to be judged, being perceived as weak and not having their sh** together. Stop putting so much emphasis on what other people think of you. Especially now in this instagram picture perfect world it seems that everybody else but you know exactly what they are doing, having some kind of master plan. That is rarely actually the case.
Don’t just accept or deny the status quo
What I want to achieve with this article is that you dare to practice more self-compassion and that you realize asking for help is more than ok or even necessary sometimes. On a day to day basis I see so many of us struggling with different issues in their life’s but they seem to have chosen to live with them, to accept them or to simply deny them. Somehow that seems to be more comfortable than to really work on yourself and to make internal change happen. The hard truth is if you don’t take care of your mind nobody will do it for you. Especially now in this crisis situation it is good to have a mentor or coach to guide you.
Sometimes self help is not enough
I am a big believer in the self-help industry and I have certainly read countless of books about personal development, leadership, health, belief systems, habit changes and so on that transformed my thinking and the way I see the world. Some of my favorites are “The power of now” by Eckhart Tolle, “What to say when you talk to yourself” by Shad Helmstetter and “Don’t sweat the small stuff and it’s all small stuff” by Richard Carlson.
However, there are times in life where you are just stuck. You don’t know how to continue, how to get past that insurmountable obstacle on your own. You are anxious, maybe even afraid of what it takes to overcome it. Maybe you have failed badly and lost all confidence. From my own experience I know that some of you feel that even friends and family cannot help you or at least you don’t want them to. In that moment you can either refuse to accept the fact that you need help and live in denial or instead show real strength by seeking guidance. That can be either in form of a coach, mentor or therapist who can lead you through the thick fog of mental blockages.
Open up and face your fears
You might talk about your biggest fears or your strongest desires, some of which you may have never ever shared with anybody. It means sharing with someone who doesn’t know you but also doesn’t judge you, puts you in a box or has any preformed assumptions about you. That person across you has your best interests at heart and makes it his or her life’s mission to help others. Something really important to remember here is that seeking help and guidance has absolutely nothing to do with weakness. It is a sign of incredible strength and compassion towards yourself. It means that you want to learn, that you want to get better, progress and change.
Be kind to yourself
At the end of the day only you can make those small intrinsic changes that ultimately alters your belief system, your habits, your behavior and the way that you move forward and live your life. You need to own it, take massive action and execute that change. Take one step at a time, be grateful for what you have already achieved, be kind to yourself and never give up.