From time to time it can feel like the world is spinning a bit too fast, things feel slightly out of control and you just don’t know where to start to get on top of the to-do list and to balance work, life and you time. 

Sometimes it’s helpful to get  professional help - working with a coach for a few 1-1 sessions or in a coaching group - to give you the space, challenge and support to get things back on track. 

But, there are some simple things you can do on your own. Practising these from time to time and building reflection and regeneration time into your week can make a massive difference. 

I’ve listed a couple of techniques below. Hope they are useful. 

• If you mind is full of worrying thoughts, imagine you are sitting somewhere peaceful, on a warm sunny day, by the side of a gently flowing stream. There are  leaves floating away down the steam. Imagine placing your worrying thoughts onto some of these leaves. Watch them slowly float away from you and feel the lightness that comes from letting go of the thoughts that don’t serve you well 
• Take a piece of paper and write down all the things/actions/tasks that are on your mind. Go grab a cup of tea, come back and imagine  you are at a time in the future 3 or 6 months and everything is going well and you are in control and thriving. Look again at your list and highlight, in your favourite, energising colour, the actions you took that really helped you get to that future place. Cross out the things that didn’t make a difference, the things you’d not done or got someone else to do. Sit  back with these lists, reflect, use your insight and draw up your action plan for the next 4 weeks. What or who will help you be accountable? 
• Think about how your start your day. What can you do to prime yourself to succeed, give you energy and help your brain function at its very best. Some people build in 15 minutes  of mindfulness practice to start off their day. Others relish the energy kick they get from exercise or a short run. Other’s thrive on building something creative into their early morning routine. I’m definitely not an exercise freak and find doing 5 minutes colouring first thing with a cup of tea the ideal way to calm my mind and find a focus for my day 
• Focus on your breathing. When things are stressful or you start feeling a bit anxious taking a few minutes to breathe in deeply to the count of 5 then out slowly to the count of 7
• Get outside and move. There’s something powerful about looking up - at trees, at clouds moving across the sky, at the buildings around you, that lifts the spirits and helps put things in perspective. I hate the winter - grey, cold, damp days with little light. But even on the darkest days I find that a few minutes, wrapped up outside, looking up, lifts my spirits. 

Would love to hear from you about the things that work for you. 

Good luck

Sandra. 

A bit about me

As a former Chief Executive, I now work as an independent coach and mentor. I love my work as a coach and get great satisfaction and joy from watching my clients grow and succeed

My clients often describe their work with me as challenging, energising, thought provoking and practical. Take a look at my Linked In page to get a feel for how client's see their experience of investing in coaching.

Outside of my coaching work, I paint a bit, sew bright. flowery fabric together to make quilts, help run a community Arts Festival and support my husband's studio glass business 

Please get in touch if I can ever be of any help.

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