Mindset Creep That Knocks You Out of The Zone
You are cruising along in your happy place for weeks, months even, feeling gratitude and engaged in doing what you love. Life is good and it is hard to imagine how it gets better. Then BAM!!! You are knocked right out of that zone!
You feel frustrated and agitated with things that wouldn’t typically bother you. You’re feeling off but can’t quite put your finger on what it is.
STATE OF MIND
I found myself on an absolutely gorgeous Saturday committed to doing errands, which meant spending the best part of the day doing what I don’t love to do. One stop was the mall (had a return), which is my least favourite thing to do on a sunny day.
I will admit that once inside and the return complete I recognized an opportunity to tick a few more things off my list. I stopped at the drug store, bookstore, and sporting goods store getting exactly what I needed. The initial agitation I had when entering the mall faded but once I exited the mall, back out in the sunshine, this immediately triggered my frustration at being inside.
While walking through the parking lot to my car I realized the sunshine was triggering the frustration simmering just under the surface. It wasn’t the sunshine that was the culprit but the meaning I attached to it – I should not be inside on a beautiful sunny day.
When I finally arrived home after getting groceries I was initially greeted by an unfamiliar car in the driveway. My frustration flared up again as my idea (or expectation) was to come home to a quiet house and that car meant people.
Those that know me are going to find this odd because I love people but I told myself I wasn’t in the mood. Have you ever done that?
My son came to the door (as he always does when he is home) with a smile on his face to help carry in the groceries. In my current mindset I didn’t greet my son, instead, I asked, “Who’s here?”
Needless to say, you can imagine the tone of those two words. One thing is for sure, it did not reflect the fun, inspiring, empowering person I want to show up as in my life.Congruency is key and the way we show up is always a choice.
I was actually allowing an idea of how I should be spending my time on a sunny summer day control my mood and what I was creating.
MAKING THE SHIFT
As I went to get the last bags of groceries from the car I took a deep breath and decided to stop focusing on the beautiful day I felt I was missing out on and start to appreciate what was right in front of me. I put a smile on my face as I entered my home and was greeted warmly by my sons’ friends. I felt an immediate shift in my energy and the frustration began to evaporate.
Then I witnessed these playful, happy young adults gathered in my family room playing guitars, the piano, and singing in harmony. They were having fun. It was effortless and they weren’t outside!
Observing them as I put away the groceries I witnessed how magical life can be when I am present to the good that is right in front of me.
LIFE LESSONS
What knocked me out of my bliss were my mindset and my focus.
The reality: the return was completed without any questions. A young man at the drug store offered for me to go ahead of him because I only had one item. I received good service at the sporting goods store and walked out with exactly what I needed. And I was serenaded while I ate my lunch. 😉
Hard to believe with all the good around me, I’d be agitated by spending a few hours in the mall to get things done. With the heat, most people would be grateful to be in air conditioning!
WHAT ABOUT YOU
Do you see yourself in this story? Are there situations, at work or home, that trigger an unexpected emotion impacting your mood and behaviour?
Do you have a clear idea of how you want to show up and be known, professionally and personally?
Do you consistently do emotional check-ins to catch yourself and recalibrate?
You and I are in control of what we think and how we show up. These decisions influence the experiences we create in our lives. What do you want to create?
I shared my story to illustrate how easily you or I can become incongruent with our personal brand. It is important to continually be mindful of who we are being. It took time to recover but I did and that is what matters.
I would encourage you to share your personal stories with your team and colleagues. It was revealed as one of the best practices by leaders in my Personal Brand Mastery Program to be more relatable and approachable.
Being intentional and mindful is a daily practice. Start now. You’ve got this!
Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to play bigger!
Are you interested in having a conversation to explore how you can define your personal brand and accelerate your growth as a leader, individually or as a team? Send an e-mail to book a complimentary 30-minute consultation.
