3^RD NOV 2008

How To Defeat Overwhelm…

Have you ever wondered why we sometimes never finish some of our projects or tasks?

I had an insight about that this morning when I went for my jog.

I’ve set myself a running plan. I run for 15 mins. Then stop for one minute until my breathing calms down then I run back home.

Now my first attempt from my fiancés home took me to the bridge which overlooks a valley with a narrow steam in the park. I’ve made this the benchmark. The idea is to run either beyond the bridge in 15 mins or to see how fast I can get there and beat the original time.

That’s all well and good – however I noticed something about my state of mind when, on the third attempt, I was finding it harder to get to the bridge without stopping. My focus was on the bridge and it seemed miles away. The more I thought of getting there the more I became overwhelmed.  My legs became heavier and my breathing was more laboured.

So I changed my thinking and started to focus on the next step and the next and next and so on. One foot in front of the other.

This time I looked at the scenery around me. The trees are beautiful at this of year and there are people out walking their dogs. I hadn’t noticed before all the wildlife about me like squirrels, magpies, gulls, wood pigeons etc. – and the people going to work. Or the intense colours of the trees and grass. I even noticed some berries. What a gift!

Before I knew it I was at the bridge. I was in no pain and my breathing was not strained. That’s more evidence to note that by taking small baby steps towards your goal works better than thinking of the bigger picture all the time. By doing this you also learn so much along the way.

“The goal is the journey not the destination.”

Keep your main goal in mind – but focus on ‘the now’.

That’s precisely how I work with my clients when I’m Coaching them towards their personal or professional goals.

My rôle on your journey is to keep you focused on the baby steps and support you through any blockages or obstacles that are in your way. Then celebrate with you when they have reached your “bridge’. Along the way you learn so much about your personal self-growth and the world around. And surely that is where your reward can be found – is it not?

If you are having challenges in reaching your goals or they have become overwhelming – especially in this economic climate – contact me right now and I’ll give you my Free Personal Performance M.O.T

I may be able to help you fulfil your goals I may not but will never know unless you take that first baby step.

Jennifer Beaumont-Whyte is a Personal Performance Coach working closely with Music Industry Professionals – Artist and Mangers. For more information go to http://www.life-change.me

Tags: How to Defeat Overwhelm, old blogs