Stress and the Center of the Storm

If you ask me, I am tremendous at dealing with stress. If you ask my family, friends, employees, I could always be better. I claim, "I have a lot more going on than the average person and therefore more stress to deal with. So actually I do a great job, considering the volume." Rationalize it any way I like, stress is something that challenges me every day.

One of the great pieces of advice that has changed my perspective - and also my coping skills - is that stress is something that I create. I hate to hear this because it's nice to lay blame on someone or something outside of me. But really, stress is my reaction and my decision. When I remember that I am the one who decides if traffic is worth getting worked up about, I generally decide, no. No thank you.

Secondly, I had a great addition to this. A friend of mine said that with all the projects, businesses, and little issues I always have going, my life could easily seem like a hurricane at times. I said, yes, yes, that's me!!! My friend went on to say that I needed to remember that I am the center or eye of the storm, not the storm itself. While all those stresses and issues whirl around me, I remain still, strong and relaxed in the calm of the storm's eye. I love this image of all my life whirling and swirling around me, yet I am calm, relaxed and great in the middle.

When I take these two ideas to heart each day, I am more relaxed. My challenges become easier and I am happier. I have also adopted the idea of a timeout for me once in a while. Sometimes thinking of a storm around me doesn't stop the winds, so I have started timeouts. They could be a quick walk, a workout, a call to my grandfather, a book for 15 mins - anything to center me again.

In the grand scheme of things, I am good no matter what happens in my schedule, my businesses or my career. Why do I invite and allow stress in the door?! Well, I couldn't find a good reason so my decision was to stop. And I have ... mostly. Everything is a work in progress.