Fear: The Uninvited Guest in Our Work Lives
We’ve all been there. The heart races, palms sweat, and our minds spin with “what ifs” and “shoulds” about our work. We end up shoulding all over ourselves. Yuck! This fear, whether it’s about meeting deadlines, speaking up in meetings, or juggling work-life balance, can be a silent saboteur. But what if we could meet this uninvited guest with grace and strength?
Mindfulness: Your Secret Power at Work
Mindfulness isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a lifeline. It’s about being fully present in the moment, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, without being overly reactive or overwhelmed.
I remember a day when deadlines were looming, and panic was setting in. I paused, took a deep breath, and focused solely on that breath. Those few minutes of mindfulness at work brought clarity and calmness, transforming my day. It was a simple act, but it made a monumental difference. It’s truly changed my life and it can change yours.
Self-Awareness: The Mirror to Your Inner World
Self-awareness is about knowing your emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and drives without overindulging or over-identifying. It’s like having an internal mirror that is reflecting the truth of our experiences.
A colleague once shared how journaling her thoughts and fears about work helped her see patterns. She realized that her fear of public speaking stemmed from a need for perfection. Recognizing this was a game-changer. She began working on accepting ‘greatness’ over perfection, and her fear slowly lost its grip. Many of us in the creative industries are perfectionists and it can keep us from moving forward in the direction of our dreams. Choose greatness instead and let go of perfection.
Closing Thoughts
Mindfulness and self-awareness aren’t just practices. They are pathways to a more fearless and fulfilling career. They help us see fear not as an enemy, but as a teacher guiding us towards growth. Why not give these a try today and see what happens?
Want to practice with other creative professionals who get it? Join our completely free, brief and gentle weekly Mindful Work, Mindful Life guided practice each Wednesday at 9:30am Pacific/12:30pm Eastern. You can register FREE here. I look forward to practicing with you!
LJ xo
