Stressed or Blessed?

Every week I have to think of a new subject to write for you.

300 witty words of how-to’s and inspiration.

I’m never stressed.

Even when my assistant is screaming for the copy.

I’m relaxed.

But find me five minutes late for a meeting…

Cue: frantic fidgeting, increased heart rate, and I’m sure a few extra mmHg’s of blood pressure.

Ask the average person to give a 5-minute presentation in front of six colleagues and the panic palpitations are activated days before.

Give me 60 minutes with an audience of 3,000 and I’m in my element! I love it… to prove it watch this YouTube Video.

This is called the Dual Nature of challenges.

And here’s the exciting part.
You have a choice.

The challenge is remembering to remember the choices.
I think the best way is with this question:

Should I be feeling stressed or blessed?

Most of the time, with a little thought and soul searching, the situations that cause you stress can be reframed as a blessing.

• ‘I have to go to hospital’
  or
  ‘We have a hospital’

  400 million people have NO access to any health care (World Health Organisation).

• ‘I hate doing presentations. My boss made me do it and I’ll look stupid.’
  or
  ‘My team are onside and I’ve been chosen to do this.’

  Employees who show a willingness to present significantly increase their chances of promotion (Glassdoor).

• ‘This traffic is a nightmare! I’m going to be late.’

or
‘I’m safe, dry, and comfortable with a magical device I can use to call ahead.’

I know, it’s easy when reading this.
Harder when you’re in the thick of it.

The solution?
A daily gratitude list.

Taking two or three minutes to list a few things you’re grateful for each day, not only reduces stress, it helps you rehearse accessing the blessings for when you do need them.

Where and what do you do to flip stressed for blessed?

I’ll send a copy of my Sunday Times No.1 Best-Selling Book, Flip It: How to Get the Best Out of Everything Amazon Link, to our favorite.

Please leave your comments below.

Be Brilliant!