Thriving or merely surviving?
Before covid, the majority of prospective clients reaching out to me were successful people with ambitious goals and a strong commitment to personal and professional development. My tagline “Thriving in admin” resonated profoundly with their intention and mindset. However, since covid it seems that more people need help to fix urgent problems, get “unstuck”, and get their lives back on track. What has changed? Is it the people or the circumstances? I believe it’s the circumstances.
In March 2020, our lives changed in ways we would have never imagined. Our minds have been working overtime on solving problems and after a full year of fear, uncertainty, and disruption, our minds are still stuck in problem solving mode. The problem with that is it leaves no time or energy to step back, reflect, and get back in touch with our dreams and intentions. When we deprive ourselves of uplifting thoughts, it’s only a matter of time until we forget what’s important and what makes us happy.
I’m writing this post to inspire you to step away for a moment from all the pressure and responsibilities that burden you and ask yourself what you really want. It’s time to think bigger than survival. What does Thriving mean to you? What do you want to see happen in your life and career? What would you work toward if success were guaranteed?
Pay attention to how you feel
If you’ve been struggling, you may be thinking “Audrey, I am afraid to lose my job, I need health insurance, I need to provide for my family, I have a mortgage… How am I supposed to think about what makes me happy when I am in such a precarious situation? I need to get my basic needs met before I can afford the luxury of listening to my heart.”
The flawed premise in that statement is thinking that you can’t relax and feel peace and joy until your situation has resolved. But if your mind is in overdrive, your nervous system is in overdrive too, and your energy will be affected. Worrying is exhausting. Fearing what could go wrong can be paralyzing. Creating more pressure and urgency can make someone appear desperate. You see, obsessing about a problem is never the best way to fix it.
You would have a much better chance of success if you felt confidence and trust in your future. People who say “Things always work out” used to drive me crazy when I was younger because I thought they lacked vision and dedication. Now, I know they are the best people to surround myself with because their unconditional trust and confidence foster the kind of inner peace that attracts solutions and success.
Please pay attention to how you feel and if you observe that over-thinking makes you more worried and discouraged, you must take a break. Learn to accept your current situation and let go of the urgency to see immediate change. Once you find peace, you will regain access to your best thinking and problem solving abilities.
Decide what you want
You deserve so much more than what you have in your life now. What do you desire? Do you want to feel appreciated and rewarded for your work? Do you want to have more influence on your campus? Do you want a new job? Do you want to achieve work/life balance to have time to spend with your loved ones and take care of yourself? Do you want to let go of worry, fear, anxiety, and other habits your mind developed? Do you want to become a stronger leader? Do you want to be an even better role model for all the people who look up to you?
Thoughts and behaviors are driven by the subconscious mind and making a conscious decision to change is not an effective way to change how we act when we are on autopilot, which is the majority of the time. Without an absolute commitment to change and structure to succeed, your mind will keep reverting back to old habits. So, what are you going to do? How will you access structure, accountability, and support to make lasting changes?
The most effective way is to work with a coach one-on-one, someone who will be by your side every step of the way, providing a safe space of non-judgment, helping you uncover your blind spots, and guiding you on the path of self-empowerment and personal freedom. Let me be that person for you. I invite you to click here and schedule a complimentary call with me to discuss how we can work together to elevate you from surviving to thriving. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
About the author: Dr. Audrey Reille has empowered thousands of professionals through one-on-one coaching, group coaching, speaking engagements, and online courses. Audrey is the go-to coach for leaders in higher education administration. She empowers them to thrive by reducing stress, optimizing strategies, improving professional relationships, and developing a strong and empowered mindset.