Getting through the workday can often feel like running a marathon on a treadmill. We just keep running while the minutes pass in a blur. By the time we get home, in the little bit of time we have left in the day, we are ready to “check out.”
To support our team in the workplace, we first need to become centered, grounded, and present ourselves. We need a way to manage our own stress.
Step one in the Nine Core Elements of Human Flourishing framework is “knowing self.” Doing the inner work that keeps our days from passing in a blur allows us to build meaningful connections with others and foster community to inspire flourishing for everyone.
Each of us has five psychological domains that make up who we are in a moment. While our personality and values are more durable, rarely changing over time, our emotions and attitudes do change. With intentional focus on the center of these five domains – our mindset – that is shaped by the other four domains, we can better control our attitude and emotions in the moment. We are better able to manage our stress and think creatively and innovatively about our work.
We can start by being aware of how we are in the moment – being present in our mind.
It works like this:
When we face a situation, we come to an emotional fork in the road. One path will lead us to a fight, flight, or freeze responses; our bodies react to protect ourselves from the perceived threat. The other path takes us to a higher level of thinking; we can logically process what is happening and decide how to respond.
These three steps help us choose that higher level of thinking:
- Take a deep breath. This signals to our brain that the threat is contained, and we can begin to process what is happening.
- Notice what is happening. When we pause, we can then become aware of what is taking place around us, using all of our senses.
- Choose how to respond. When we become present and grounded in the moment, we can then make logical decisions about how to respond to the situation.
Practice these strategies
CreateSpace offers leaders an opportunity to try out tools and strategies for becoming more grounded and present in the work to counteract burnout that happens in times of transition. Sign up to be notified of coming retreats.
