I know that for myself, so often the anxiety about something just takes over and then I so easily go down the slippery slope of procrastinating and even at times just ‘giving up’, not giving the task at hand my all. I see this same pattern of behavior in the students who I meet. I see students becoming so overwhelmed with the sheer volume of work that they need to complete or by the need to go through the demanding application process for jobs, and this results in the most debilitating anxiety.
From the outset, what I have learnt is that it is really only in taking ‘action’, no matter how small and insignificant the step might seem, that helps me to move out of the internal whirlwind. I also know that I need to talk to myself as I catch those thoughts and question as to whether what I am thinking about is really true (and often is really is not!).
And so with this in mind, here are a few of my favorite and most helpful tricks that help me to move out the anxiety and start taking some helpful action!
1. The first great tip comes from Mel Robbins. She coined the ‘5 4 3 2 1’ technique … creating the momentum to just get going … NOW. I know for myself, it is all too easy to come up with excellent excuses to delay the inevitable. This technique very effectively stops the over ruminating and overthinking and one is triggered to just ‘start’. This ridiculously small action might be to just open your book, or to just make your bed and clear your desk, or making that all important telephone call. It is that one small thing that leads to you doing another ‘one small thing’ and then I find that momentum takes over. It sounds so ridiculously simple but it really works!
2. ‘Comparison is the thief of joy’, a good friend quoted to me on a run the other day. And she is so right. Comparison is debilitating and destructive and also we never know the full facts of peoples lives. We can assume so much, and often with a great gloss, without really knowing the realities. And when I catch myself comparing myself to others (and definitely from the perspective that ‘I am not enough’), so I remind myself and acknowledge that I have my OWN BACK PACK … and to tend to that! I like the analogy of a back pack – it is my own history, my personality, my mistakes, my education, my gifts and with this all the good things too. And so, I am in charge of my ‘back pack’ and this is my journey so lets not get distracted (too much) about the things that I feel incapable about, and rather focus on where I am going with what I have … with also a quest for learning new ways that might be better!
3. And when I am really procrastinating, I then need to MOVE … whether I quickly clear up a room, or jog on the spot, or shake myself out (a Chinese practice that involves shaking the body to release the tension – and it really works!), or going for a brisk walk (even for just a few minutes) just takes me out of the stagnancy. Whether I am ruminating on unhelpful thoughts or just not getting on with things that I need to do … moving reignites me. Try it …..please!
I also find that acknowledging to myself what I actually have done … and speaking to myself in a way that is caring and encouraging also works wonders. My daughter often reminds me to ‘back myself’. This is a good reminder for us all.
Alongside this, I am aiming for a nourishing diet, enjoy meeting with friends and I am becoming far more aware of the power of breathing and becoming present …and I also love using good essential oils to sharpen my focus.
I wonder what really helps you? Please let me know as I think that we can all keep learning so much from one another. Have a wonderful rest of your week.