Wherever you go, you take yourself with you

When dealing with burnout you need to take time to recognize how you got there in the first place. This didn't just happen in a day and therefore it cannot be reversed in a day. Its going to take some time, but all long lasting changes do, and yes we need to make some changes- I know its a scary word.

Accepting that change is inevitable

The only thing in life that is consistent, is change. The earlier we can accept that change is inevitable the better we can adapt and hold realistic expectations. Let's be real, shall we? No one likes change, some of us accept that change is an active part of everyday life but we don't necessarily like it. Change makes us uncomfortable, and in walks fear. Fear and change almost always go hand in hand. Its fear of the unknown and what we cannot control that throws us into a tailspin.

Control the controllable

I personally love self-help books, perhaps that is why I am a blogger on coaching and wellness. Anything that I can get my hands on that can give me some fresh perspective, I am here for. Years ago I read, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey, actually I think the first time I read this book I wasn't even out of high school but I digress. Many parts of this book stuck with me but one I revisit often is the Circle of Influence and Circle of Concern. Once I realized that I can only control and influence those things that directly impact or effect me and that I had no control over the world outside of that, the pressure eased. When I start thinking of those things I could control- like myself, I started to understand how hard I was being on myself and began to pay attention to the stories I told myself. Believe me that was almost as scary as change- probably because I knew that's what had to come next.

Think about how you talk to yourself

Are the words you say to yourself, words you would ever say to a friend or a child? Would you ever think of criticizing or putting down a friend the way that you put yourself down hundreds of times a day? I am going to guess not, or you probably wouldn't have too many friends hanging around. The words we think, without even recognizing it, become the stories we tell ourselves. That is what we should really be afraid of, these are far more scary than change. I want you to sit for a moment and try to pay attention to your breath and just notice the thoughts that enter your mind- go on, do it now and then come back and pick up here where you left of.... go on now, I know you are trying to get out of this but I promise its worth it.

Unless you are an avid meditator and have harnessed the fast stream of thoughts we all have, I imagine that was a bit daunting. Now think about if you could stop those thoughts in their tracks and change them to positive thoughts. Think how your day would improve? Oh, I know it improves, because our thoughts control our actions and behaviours and many of us are stuck on repeat in negative thought cycles.

Our thoughts create our reality and we keep our own company

As Jon Kabat-Zinn puts it "Wherever you go, there you are", there isn't a day that goes by that you aren't in your own company. If your thoughts are negative its bound to lead to a negative outcome, but if we can catch our thoughts and change them to positives, the outcome can therefore change as well. So next time you are having a rough day, pause, take a minute to listen to your breath and pay attention to your thoughts. You can control your thoughts and YOU have the power to make a positive change which will result to a positive outcome. I dare you- try it out!

With love and light, thank you for taking this journey with me,

Leah