As the phone number flashed up on my screen, I knew instantly.
Grabbing my phone, I tried to calm down enough to check the event details. Easy to check as I’d shared the event twice over the last 2 days. Not only shared the event, but copied the details into my comments.
All the details THERE in front of me.
10AM start! That’s now!
I arrived 45 minutes late for a one hour organising talk, oh the irony! And bless my audience’s cotton socks for there sat 5 people who had waited for me.
So how does this happen?
Far too easily in my erratic world. My world where words and details totally disappear from sight, I JUST DON’T SEE THEM
Like the time of this event, nicely laid out in the library’s post. Nicely reposted by myself, not once but twice.
I had the wrong time noted on my system. Systems that have kept me safely organised for 12 years of presenting and 15 years in business. A subject I teach. Systems are how I still my erratic brain and my anxiety. Small errors can have a huge impact because my brain glosses over detail, this is nothing new to me. I thought I had it covered.
There is a lesson in everything, I can’t change what happened but I can tweak my systems and know that regardless of what happens, it’s ok, I’m ok.
If this had happened to me earlier in my career, this event would have likely unhinged me, sent me into a negative spiral. Over the years, I’ve done a lot of self development and I wanted to not only share my experience to help those of you who can relate to my erratic brain, but also to share some of the techniques that help me ground myself.
3 Techniques to help with anxiety:
- Challenge unhelpful beliefs – Ask yourself what is a more helpful thought. I like this one because of its simplicity. I was listening to a mindful coach who mentioned if you can’t come up with a positive statement, come up with a neutral thought instead
My unhelpful belief: I’m unreliable and unorganised (ouch)
A more helpful/neutral thought: I made a mistake, I’m human. I did everything I could to rectify the situation.
- Keep a gratitude journal/jar – write down 3 things you are grateful for each day. I like this one because it’s quick to do. Research shows we are wired to focus more on the negative than the positive. When we practice gratitude our stress hormones are regulated and anxiety reduced, our brain releases ‘happiness’ chemicals. Reviewing them on New Years is also a lovely tradition.
3 things I am grateful for from that day:
The 5 people who waited and played full out
My mum hearing me present for the first time
That I connected with people I can help
- Meditation. Whether it’s a 3 minute, 10 minute or longer meditation, stilling the mind is pretty important especially for those of us that have an erratic brain! It helps with focus, improves memory, reduces stress and much more.
3 meditation teachers I enjoy listening to:
While I find all of these 3 techniques helpful, I truly have my ‘L’ plates on and find myself going in and out of having them in my routine. But that’s ok too! It’s a journey. A journey that I’m working on as the benefits are clear, and the reminders are there when I slip!
Tell me, have you ever had something like this happen to you?
Don’t delay, start today
Sara
