Oops, I Did It Again…(But not in a red latex suit kind of way)
Yes, dear reader, that's right.
I, a GP and Integrative Stress Management Coach for high-achieving women, once again mistook stress and anxiety for productivity. 🤦♀️
It's a trap I'm acutely aware of, yet it still sneaks up on me like a ninja in the night. I have to be vigilant, but let's face it - when you're stressed and in action mode, mindfulness tends to take a backseat. It's like trying to meditate while riding a roller coaster. 🎢
For years, I had it drummed into me that success equals sacrifice. Society preaches it and watching my parents live it made me internalise this ethos. Not too long ago, we were celebrating hustle culture like it was the holy grail of success. Work all night, fuelled by coffee ☕, eat at your desk, work weekends - forsake fun, family and health if you want to climb that corporate ladder or start your own business.
This mindset is still rampant in some professions. (Yes, I'm looking at you, bankers. 👀) I see it often in my private corporate patients - stressed, burnt out and in ill health, believing it's the only path to success.
But what if we flipped this on its head? 🙃
Over the years, I've realised that without physical, emotional and mental health, you've got nothing. These are the foundations for every aspect of your life. Imagine flipping the script: prioritise your well-being as your primary focus and let every other part of your life flourish as a natural consequence. It's like tending to a garden – nurture your health and watch not just your professional life blossom, but your entire world transform. 🌱💼
When you prioritise your well-being, you'll likely see your career thrive, but that's just the beginning. Your relationships deepen, your mood stabilises and your overall life satisfaction skyrockets. You'll have more energy for your passions, whether that's sport, pursuing creative hobbies or planning that dream get-a-way. Your ability to lead and inspire others improves, your decision-making becomes sharper and you'll find yourself more resilient in the face of challenges. Even your financial health can benefit from this shift in focus, as you make clearer, more aligned choices.
In essence, by putting your health first, you're not just advancing your career – you're elevating your entire life experience. (I know, radical thinking, right? 😉)
A rested, healthy brain will get you to your goals much more quickly than a frazzled, overcaffeinated one. I've seen it firsthand - both in my own life and in my clients'. When we prioritise well-being, everything else falls into place. Productivity soars, creativity flourishes, problem-solving skills skyrocket and our ability to handle stress improves dramatically.
Fun fact: I always have my best ideas in the shower. 🚿 My business mentor usually has her next million-dollar idea while sipping cocktails on a beach somewhere. Coincidence? I think not!
For me, the warning signs of doing too much are trouble sleeping and an inability to switch off my brain at night. It's like my mind decides to host a party just when I'm trying to sleep. 🥳 When this happens, I put "doing" on pause and start practicing "being." More meditation, more mindfulness, more nature walks and a laser focus on my eating and hydration habits. Small changes that make a world of difference.
It can feel hard - I'm naturally drawn to doing, doing, doing. But when I stop doing and start being, I feel so much better and can progress very quickly when I return to action mode.
So, here I am, reiterating—for my own sake as much as yours—that success isn't about burning the candle at both ends. It's about looking after all aspects of ourselves so we can bring our best selves to our lives.
What small step can you take today to invest in your well-being? Your health is your true wealth. 💖
Warmly, Rosie x
