There comes a time in everyone’s life when it becomes too much – your professional pursuits overwhelm your time and patience, your family feels like a chore rather than a purpose, and there’s absolutely no room for the famous “me” time. It’s precisely moments (or weeks) like these that test the stuff we’re made of, in the best possible sense.
They put things in perspective we’d otherwise miss, and with this new point of view, you can start to embrace the difficulties as another challenge, and find the best ways to persist with your positive mindset. The following list has some tried and tested methods to achieve that, but you might find yourself craving to explore outside of the given box, and if anything, this post should encourage you to do just that – find your freedom to feel good throughout the crisis!
Give, give, give
When life feels especially difficult and it seems there’s no light in sight, the best way to restore your feeling of purpose and usefulness is to give back to your own community. Kindness is the best solace for your soul, as it heals both those who give and those who receive, and it may be a perfect way to rekindle your flame for the work you have chosen.
In addition to volunteering for the homeless and joining a charity organization, you can organize a lecture and offer your advice and guidance to the young, aspiring people in your community. When they hear about your own professional journey, perhaps you’ll once again restore that vigor to advance, and at the same time inspire them to follow their own dreams.
Enjoy the silence
One of the most difficult things in life is to slow down when everything becomes impossibly hectic. However, this is when slowing down and taking a breather becomes even more essential, since the way in which you’ll handle this surge of chaos will determine whether or not you will succeed. It doesn’t matter if you are preparing for an exceptionally important client presentation, or you’re about to take part in a meeting which will be the decisive factor in getting that promotion, the pressure can be daunting, to say the least.
To dwindle the effects of stress and pent-up anxiety, start your mornings and end your day with ten or fifteen minutes to yourself. Take this little time window to meditate, focus on your breathing, and immerse yourself into a well of soothing thoughts. From “I am strong, powerful, successful”, to “I feel calm, resolute, and in control”, there are so many mantras you can use to steer your emotions in the right direction. Just take your time, turn it into a ritual with a pot of your favorite Equal Exchange tea waiting, and some scented candles in the background, and let your mind rest.
Take up a sport
Just like your meditative sessions help keep your mind at ease and worries at bay, you need a way to challenge your body in order to stay healthy. Regular exercise is a necessity on a very basic, biological level, since it provides the perfect environment for your body to produce happy hormones, such as serotonin and endorphin, and let go of that pent-up negative energy you’ve been harboring.
If you don’t have enough time to hit the gym, simply get a pair of durable sneakers such as New Balance to prevent any injuries and stay comfortable while enjoying the earth beneath your feet on your daily jogs. Sweating helps your body detox, and the workout will ensure that you remain fit, all of which will build mental endurance needed for that bumpy road to success.
Keep your eyes on the prize
It can be difficult to stay motivated and dedicated when the end result seems unreachable, but dividing that one major goal into dozens, if not hundreds, of little milestones for your every day will help you feel more accomplished in the long-run.
By planning every step of your journey, you’ll be better-equipped to handle unexpected roadblocks, to gain even more control of your professional path, and of course, to feel like you are doing something that matters for achieving that major goal down the road. Never underestimate the importance of these small steps for your overall success, they are each a thread in the wonderful artwork you’re about to create!