Motivating Business Mums. Debbie O'Connor

      If you take a short time out to identify your needs for today in each area it will pay dividends. Fast forward your mind to the end of today and identify what actions you could take today to make the biggest difference to your peace of mind and quality of sleep.

      “What” questions are sometimes referred to as ‘wisdom access’ questions in coaching. For example, concentrating on your physical body ask yourself:

       What am I feeling right now?

       What does my body need?

       What four things can I do today that will have the greatest positive impact?

      Then write down the answers in your action list. Do the same for each area and you will have a list for the day.

      In might seem counter intuitive when you have so much on and are overwhelmed, but it does help to take time out to do something that energises you and/or meet up with someone who energises you. Also, the opposite is true; when you’re operating in crisis mode, gently and kindly avoid situations and people who are a drain on your energy until you’re back on track.

      As always, prevention is better than cure, so take time to write down your observations from this case of being overwhelmed and jot down what worked for you and helped you through it. Use this information as the start of a crisis plan so that you can be as prepared as possible for the next time you have too many balls to juggle.

      Becoming aware of your strengths and weaknesses, your needs and wants, and what does and does not energise you, will help you when you’re overwhelmed. You might want to consider working with a coach or attending a coaching workshop to work on your own personal crisis plan. Also perhaps consider one for your family so that, when something big happens in your life that you can’t control, you have something to refer to or to refer others to for supporting you in physical, spiritual, mental, emotional and practical ways.

      I hope you find some of these techniques useful as you juggle the various balls in your life right now.

      Fiona Muir is the founder of Fab Life Coaching, part of Fab Communication. Fiona is a fully accredited coach with over 20 years’ corporate experience devising and implementing marketing and growth strategies for a wide range of individuals and organisations; from sole traders and starter SMEs to blue-chip organisations across all sectors. Prior to launching Fab Life Coaching and Fab Communication, Fiona’s corporate experience was gained at a variety of levels, including: student, executive, manager, director and co-owner of a successful SME. www.fablifecoaching.co.uk