We all know that those pesky personal crises have a way of sneaking up on you, and with the joys of running a small business there really is not the headspace to manage both well. It is true to say that everyone reacts different to personal crises, some lucky folk, can separate work from home effectively and for others the lines become blurred and despondency, lack of focus and clarity set in.
I have been having my own testing time for the last six months, it has been exhausting, trying, and challenging to remain on top of everything and I would suggest I have been my true self about half of the time. However, I am blessed with a fabulous support network both professionally and personally and that has made things manageable.
I was thinking about mental health week and how I constantly see posts on social media from people who are clearly struggling, and either a) attempting to put on a brave face or b) reaching out for help sometimes without even realising they are doing it.
Let’s be clear on the reality of personal crises, and their impact on us as individuals, they are real, time consuming, emotionally draining and soul destroying at times. They can take various forms from health issues, relationship challenges, career setbacks and of course loss in all shapes and forms. What they have in common is they all bring an emotional toll on us and bring an unrecognisable sense of disorientation to the forefront.
I have found that there is strength in my vulnerability, after about three months I recognised and accepted that it was ok to be feeling vulnerable, and fine to share my emotions in a safe space, for me it afforded the opportunity for some healing and growth. Support from friends, colleagues, family, and professional help in some cases is a vital component to move on. Another shout to my work wife here she has been amazing, more amazing than she usually is!
I looked at how I could build my resilience allowing self-compassion and re-evaluating my sense of purpose. Focussing on work has certainly helped me and recognising that others needed me to be on form certainly helped. I know others who have found mindfulness, yoga and breath work a great support in building resilience. I also found listening to podcasts about conquering adversity inspiring, add a sprinkle of there are others worse off than you and it all helps to get your focus back!
My job as the CEO here at the BEC comes with an expectation that I always know what I am doing. I like to think I am being my authentic self, but there have been times when I have been masking what is going on inside. I cannot emphasise enough the need for self-care and setting boundaries even in times of turmoil.
My top tips are to firstly step back and assess your current workload, identify the most critical tasks that demand attention, and delegate or postpone the less urgent items. Be realistic about your current capacity and adjust your expectations accordingly. Secondly, be kind to yourself, its perfectly acceptable to be less than brilliant all the time, focus on bite size goals you can manage. Lastly, admitting you need support without feeling ashamed or embarrassed, sometimes our coping mechanisms need a recharge and another opinion professional or personal who understands your life is invaluable.
However big or small your personal crisis feels, please remember even in the darkest moments of a crisis, hold on to hope. Remind yourself that you have the strength and resilience to overcome this challenge, and that brighter days lie ahead.
Remember, managing a personal crisis is a journey, and it’s important to be gentle with yourself as you navigate through it. You are not alone, and there is support available to help you through this challenging time. I am happy to chat whenever it is needed!