Coaching Tip #941

Worry is like a runaway horse. If you don't take the reins, it will runaway with you, taking the quality of your life with it. When you worry, you are fearful of some possible future event and how it will turn out. Have you noticed that most of the things you worry about never come to be? Instead of making assumptions, building false realities out of your fear of the unknown and just continuing to worry, use your worrying as a signal to take action. By accepting that not everything is within your control, and then taking the actions you can toward the outcome you desire, you will have taken the reins of your worry and directed it in a constructive manner.

Business Article: Do You Bring Your Personal Baggage To Work?

Who you are at work directly affects the team members, customers and your bottom line in profound ways. Each of us travels between two worlds - the personal and the professional. When there is balance, contentment, purpose, success and happiness in one’s life outside of business, the person people take to the work environment is very different than if this is not their reality.

Business owners, managers and anyone else in a leadership role, have the largest impact - positive or negative - in the closed environment at work. These are the people team members look to for direction and guidance. When a leader is lost in their own personal issues, or is unable to separate from them while on the job, the entire team will be impacted to some degree, and a noticeable funk can easily overcome the entire department or business.

We like to think there is a very distinctive barrier between our personal and professional lives that keeps the two separate. However, when you really step back and take an honest look at your own experiences and those of others you have worked with, this is clearly not the case. In fact, it is quite common for one’s personal baggage to be carried right through the front door and unpacked in the workplace.

Relationship issues, parenting challenges and extended family matters are common occurrences in the lives of all people. These are real issues that often weigh heavily on the hearts and minds of those affected.

When not managed effectively, they can have a lasting and negative impact on attitude and performance. When you add in additional circumstances such as health problems, money difficulties, lack of purpose and fulfillment, and the despair that often accompanies them, you have a recipe for disaster through dysfunctional behaviors.

As a business coach and consultant, I have witnessed many top performers lose all sense of direction and focus due to mounting personal issues, and their inability to deal with them in a constructive way. Even after years of dedicated work, it can be a quick slide from the top to the bottom when personal challenges overwhelm one’s ability to function at the high levels they and others have grown accustomed to. An increase in errors and customer dissatisfaction - often due to a lack of focus - coupled with a loss of revenue and the negative impact on the work environment can only be tolerated for so long before they must be let go.

But, this doesn’t have to be the case.

Personal life challenges belong solely to the person having them - not everyone at work. And, certainly not to the customers who are patronizing the business. One powerful strategy is to view work as a “timeout” - or getaway - from your personal challenges. By placing your attention and energy squarely on the work at hand, you give yourself a much-needed break from the harsh reality of your personal circumstances.

I’m not suggesting that one should deny or avoid the challenging realities of their personal life. In fact, my position is quite the opposite. My approach simply suggests that there is an appropriate time and a place for dealing with the difficulties in one’s life, but that - in all likelihood - that place is not at work.

Seeking out the professional help of qualified coach to get yourself - and your life - in order, and on track, is a wise choice. It is amazing what can be accomplished with simple changes in perspective, increased awareness, goal setting and accountability supplied through the unbiased support of a competent coach.

People are often of the belief that they should just “pull themselves up by the bootstraps”. This is often a difficult and lonely task, however, and if you find yourself challenged to do this on your own, there is no shame in that. There is nothing wrong with you. Just seek out assistance.

 Life comes with all kinds of unexpected, unwanted and downright challenging situations. They can be difficult, no doubt, but they don’t have to damage or destroy a career or business. If you find yourself living a personal reality that is challenging your ability to function¸ and to be successful and happy, get the help you need. Bring your best - not your baggage - to work. You, your team members and your customers deserve nothing less.

Coaching Tip #940

Integrity, honesty and truth are all words that represent the best in us as human beings. When a person acts out of these fine qualities, especially in the most challenging of circumstances, we respect and admire them for their courage to be real. No matter what your day holds, do your best to be a person of integrity, honesty and truth in all that you do, and with everyone you encounter. Be real, and give yourself as many reasons as you can to respect and admire yourself.

Coaching Tip #939

Life does get very busy, even hectic at times, and it is easy to get swept away by all that's going on and all you have to do. However, there is only one of you, and there is only so much time in a day. When the pace of life starts spinning out of control, take a deep breath or two, and seize the reins in your life. Accept the fact that there is only so much you can do, prioritize what's on your plate and do your best given the circumstances. And, remember to keep a space open in your day just for you.

Coaching Tip #938

Being courteous and giving of yourself has a positive impact on the receiver, and encourages them pay it forward. Also, one of the best ways to improve your own mood, if it's not going so well, is to get out of your head and open the door for someone. Every act of caring you extend to another invigorates and refreshes you as well. There are so many simple, easy and truly priceless acts of kindness available to you at all times. Spread the seeds of your kindness and generosity in the hearts and minds of those you encounter today. You never know what wonderful things might grow.