Hello Ann

I hope things are beginning to crystallize as you head into a new year. Even if your organization is on a fiscal cycle other than the January - December, I'm guessing that the start of a new calendar year is a milestone, a check point, an opportunity to stop and take measure. How are you feeling? What were your wins from last year? What did you not get done? What excites you about this year? So many questions! It's easy to go to an extreme in the face of January. Either you refuse to participate in the "year in review" and make no resolutions - or you go full boar into creating ambitious, almost unattainable goals. Either way - you are likely to be challenged to manage your stress!

I would like to invite you to set all of that aside, take a few deep breaths and enjoy this month's newsletter.

Where is Your Center?

“Your gremlin would have you believe that you will be content and satisfied when you get your ducks in a row, never telling you that your idea of a straight line may not remotely resemble what the universe has in mind.”

 - Rick Carson, Taming Your Gremlin

In my October newsletter I spoke a lot about your inner committee (a.k.a. “gremlin” or “saboteur”) and the havoc it can wreak in your life. This limiting inner voice can dissuade you from taking chances and prevent you from realizing your full potential. We all send ourselves boatloads of thoughts every day, and they’re not always positive. These messages and beliefs shape the way we view our world and how we choose to live.

It’s probably safe to say that most people are interested in living happier, more rewarding lives. If you hone in on your ability to observe your own thoughts and chose which ones to keep and which ones to toss, you’ll soon be on the road to a happier life. Finding your own source of calm contentment, regardless of circumstances, is what we will call finding your center.

Realize Change is Life

No matter how crazy or splendiferous life happens to be right now, things are always going to change. Developing your ability to weather these changes is greatly founded on your in-the-moment reaction to life. If you learn to manage your reaction, you can choose your own thoughts and mood, regardless of the world around you. Sounds pretty good right?

Do not allow your happiness to be dependent on factors that are out of your control. If you sit around waiting for the perfect set of circumstances to occur, you will miss out on life and deny yourself the happiness that you deserve, starting now. Finding your center during stressful moments allows you to establish your calm and overcome the uncontrollable.

Stop Trying to Do it All

How many times have you sat down with your planner and drafted up a to-do list that is completely unrealistic? I do this all the time – and each time I re-discover that attempting to achieve the unachievable will only results in excess stress and pressure. In order to find my center, it is necessary to cut out the unrealistic, unnecessary, and the delusion of completing something “once and for all.” The more you begin to question your goals, the more easily you will be able to spot the shoulds and oughts that have control over your life and mood.

5 Re-centering Tips for Whenever & Wherever

There is no exact procedure for gaining control of your feelings and thoughts. However, there are a number of things you can do to check your inner balance and gain control:

1. Notice your Body: An easy way to gage yourself is to pay attention to your breathing and your hands. Is your breathing quick and shallow? Are you holding your breath? Are your hands clenched into fists under the table? Are you picking at your cuticles? If so, relax your muscles and slow your breathing down by taking a few deep breaths.
2. View your Surroundings: Life is more than the thoughts racing through your mind. Gain control of your state by noticing the details of your surroundings.
3. Observe your Mind: Stop letting your thoughts get the better of you. Instead, acknowledge each thought, and then set it aside. Doing this will allow you to rise above the immediate reactions and regain your calm by focusing on the bigger picture.
4. Terminate the Negative: When you acknowledge your thoughts as just that—thoughts—you are able to toss aside the ones you don’t want or need. In a moment that borders on stress or panic, find your center by rejecting all negative thought and focusing intently on the positive.
5. Step Outside: When things are getting out of hand, step outside literally, or into the hall for a moment of regrouping. We often don’t realize all of the things that are contributing to our loss of control or stress until we’ve had a change in scenery.

Hopefully these tips and ideas will help you to tune out some of the thoughts that hold you back, and turn up some of the thoughts that will propel you forward!

Social Style Tip of the Day
What do Expressive Style People Value in Others?

There are certain things we all appreciate from our co-workers. But each Style has more specific traits that they pay attention to and value from their co-workers.  Expressive Style people like to form relationships and get to know others on a personal level, so they value co-workers who can express their emotions and be open. Don’t be afraid to share more of your personal side and let these individuals know something about yourself. This helps them to understand others and leads to trust. They like people who can be lighthearted and show a sense of humor, and who are enthusiastic about their work. They want others to be excited when working with them, bringing additional energy to the team.

Copyright TRACOM Group 2011

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Join Me

I will be presenting at the IAAP North Suburban Chapter on Thursday, January 19 from 7 - 8pm. We will explore ways to create powerful partnerships between Executives and Assistants that lead to improved efficiency and greater professional satisfaction.

The group meets at the Crowne Plaza in Brooklyn Center, MN. If you'd like to learn more or register, go to
www.iaap-nsc.org.  

About Ann

With more than 20 years of experience as a corporate leader, Ann brings an integrated-systems perspective to any discussion or situation and a straightforward, practical approach to coaching and consulting. Ann's unique and varied career and educational experiences allow her to quickly identify and communicate interrelationships among issues, people, and complex organizational systems. Her positive outlook, energy, and participative leadership style enable her to inspire, motivate, and develop leadership in others.