Ever felt so overwhelmed, overstressed and overtired that you were exhausted – mentally, physically and emotionally? Perhaps you were in a perpetual slump, one you couldn’t see your way out of. I know I’ve been there, and most of us have.
Update: I wrote this blog a while ago and realized I found myself in a similar position… so added more ideas that have worked for me.
Many would call my job a ‘motivational speaker’ – but who (or what) motivates the motivational speaker?
I live a very full life filled with wonderful people, clients, and adventures. I know how fortunate I am. And just like you, there are things that can get me down (some may seem trivial… but I know they mess with my head and can cause slumps). Maybe the scales don’t say what I want them to say (sometimes I want to throw them out the window and I remind myself I am not my weight), sometimes my calendar isn’t as full as I’d like it to be with speeches (and I remind myself I am not my job) and sometimes I miss people deeply (and I remind myself I chose to live on the other side of the world and be friends with people who are spread across the globe with busy lives of their own).
After recently experiencing a bit of a slump myself, I realized to turn to my ‘beacons – those people I trust implicitly to help give candid and honest feedback with my best interest in mind. How do you determine who these people are and allow them to guide you out of your slump? Who are those that are dragging you further into it? The video below shares 3 strategies for getting out of a slump and determining those ‘beacons’ who will help.
Update: I wanted to add more things that have been working for me and maybe they will work for you too?
Get Physical – no, not in the Olivia Newton-John type way (although maybe that’s motivation for some and the video will give you a giggle). For me, I have realized I need to move my body. My friend Ella reminds me of this (listen to her podcast called On Air with Ella). My fave Peloton instructor (and my personal trainer) Jennifer Jacobs, affectionately called JJ, also reminds me of this … weekly! I will never look or feel like Ella or JJ (obviously) but they inspire me to take action to achieve a better, healthier version of myself. Riding my Peloton, doing some strength training… or even taking a walk outside is helpful for me. What’s the go-to workout that makes you feel strong?
Be Quiet – ahhhh this is so hard for me. I am noisy. I laugh loudly. Live life big. Play loud music (especially in my car… yes I am that girl) and my honey will tell you I am loud. And sometimes I find that getting quiet, meditating, reading something spiritual helps the crazy town in my head. I also love the meditative qualities of running (when it’s not 97 degrees outside).
Reach Out – when you are in a slump it’s easy to feel alone or defeated or sorry for yourself. I get that. All you need to is reach out. Send a friend a text, tell them you need them. Share you are in a slump and be ok with that. That’s what I do. Find a friend who understands.
Do something nice for someone else – Leave a voicemail for someone you love. Deliver flowers to a friend. Send a handwritten thank you note. Write a review on Trip Advisor of great service you received. Make a donation to a charity you love. Read a story at a local school. Volunteer at a local facility.
Slumps happen. If you are an overachiever it might be hard for you to admit when times are tough. That’s OK. Just know this, you are not alone. It’s temporary.
I am not sure of the original source of this quote, but I am reminded of it often:
‘Where attention goes, energy flows’ – be careful where you pay attention today.
