Jane went to her doctor; she was experiencing fatigue, lack of sleep, and depression. Her doctor told her that her symptoms sounded like she was under a great deal of stress. He asked Jane where this stress might be coming from. She explained to her doctor that the stress was coming from working with an intolerable boss. That he was so demanding and showed very little appreciation for her efforts and she felt that she could not trust him.
Jane’s doctor suggested that she take a time out. He recommended that she take a medical leave and just get away from it all. He thought a week in the country or a place where she could really relax would do her a world of good. The doctor even suggested that she go without her husband. He said: “you need to take time to reconnect with yourself and set new priorities.”
Jane was excited at the possibility of getting away. She knew instinctively that was just what she needed. She needed the time away to find herself and capture and renew her sense of inner peace. She went home and told her husband of her plans. She booked a bed and breakfast in a quaint country setting, packed her bags, got in her car and she was on her way.
As she drove along the highway a new sense of relief came over her. But, after several hours of the drive, she began to think about her boss. The more she thought about him the angrier she got. She began to clinch her fists around the steering wheel as she began to spiral down into an emotional state. And as the cortisol and the adrenalin pumped through her body she now found herself back in the same state she was when she went to the doctor.
Now there was nobody with her. No boss, no event or situation to provoke her. There were no job demands or finger-pointing going on. What was it that really caused the stress? Have you ever had an experience like that? What is it really has mastery over us really?
I can make you rise or fall. I can work for you or against you. I can make you a success or a failure. I can control the way you feel and the way you act. I can make you laugh … work… love. I can make your heart sing with joy… excitement… elation… I can make you sick… listless… I can be as a shackle… heavy… attached… burdensome… Or I can be as the prism’s hue… dancing… bright… fleeting… lost forever unless captured by pen and purpose. I can be nurtured and grow to be great and beautiful… seen by the eyes of others through action in you. I can never be removed… only replaced. I am a THOUGHT.
(Unknown)
It was her thoughts that caused the stress. If we are to master stress, we first must master our thoughts. It is up to you to capture your thoughts. Our thoughts are our interpretation of our world. These interpretations come from our beliefs which are formed from our past life experiences. Our beliefs give us our thoughts, which then drive our feelings and actions. People or situations cannot make you feel a certain way. It is your reaction to them that make you feel the way that you feel. No one can make you feel anything. Repeat after me NO ONE CAN MAKE ME FEEL ANYTHING! So it is our perceptions of what is happening that causes all the stress. Here are some of the ways that we can manage our thoughts.
1. Monitor your self-talk
2. Stop exaggerating
3. Let go of judgments and perceptions
4. Think and visualize what it is that you want, not what you don’t want
Begin to control your mind by controlling your thoughts and look for what the moment is teaching you. And instead of running away from what ever it is that you are afraid of, move into it, toward it, conquer it and gain power over it and be done with it.
So if you feel stressed out. Start by looking at what you think about. Your thoughts are your master. They can make your life a living hell or a joyful paradise. You are the master of your own life when you master your thoughts.
Johanne Edwards
As an entrepreneur, executive in industry, a business consultant and self development trainer, I have used many techniques, processes and systems to manifest outstanding results. I believe that the small business owner with an entrepreneurial mindset will drive our future economic success. I’m eager to share these Critical Skill Sets with you so that you too can become an UnBEATable entrepreneur. 810-735-7850
