Leading Yourself Through Challenging Times
- Mar 7, 2022
- 3 min read
Written by: Samantha Quemby, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Challenges, big or small, can be a part of life and one of the key ways to keep showing up whatever is going on around you is by giving yourself the support you need. It’s impossible to lead others if you aren’t the first leading yourself. If you're caught up in fear and anxiety, that will be the energy you spread to those around you.
As a coach, I know in order to be there for my clients I first need to be there for myself. When a challenge happens what is your go-to response? To want to hide away until it is over or to put your head down and power through? We all react differently but neither of those responses helps you to actively deal with and move through the challenge. The more you can lead yourself in life the more you can find inner harmony despite the chaos that may surround you. Here are three ways you can be the leader of your life. 1. Tune out the noise and go within When a challenge arises it can be tempting to look to others for answers. Maybe that’s within the news or those around you. Whilst outside support can be helpful it’s also important to go within and connect with what your needs are. If you rely solely on the outside world for the direction it is likely you can add to the stress and worry and also be led in a direction that doesn’t work for you. In order to lead others, you must first understand how you want to do that and what you need. Make time for meditation, journal out your thoughts and ask yourself on a regular basis ‘What do I need right now and what will feel good for me?’
Your intuition always knows how best to respond so it’s about giving it a chance to be heard. That way, whatever action you take will feel good and aligned and help you step into your power as a leader. Leading from strength and calm will always work much better than leading from stress and fear. 2. Feel your emotions don't freeze them
It’s tempting to want to avoid what feels uncomfortable and to jump straight into the action but don’t. If you find yourself distracting or numbing out from your feelings focus on Acknowledging, Accepting and Appreciating.
Acknowledge: Recognise the emotion and name it
Accept: Breath into the emotion and give it space within your body
Appreciate: Understand the message the emotion is trying to communicate
Processing emotions allows you to move through them more quickly and in turn gives you clarity of mind because it switches your brain out of fight and flight.
3. Fill up your cup
Don’t let the challenge you are facing be all-consuming. It may be tempting to simply focus on taking action but don’t forget that pressing pause and having time out can be equally beneficial.
Focus on activities that make you feel good, ground you in the present moment and allow you to rejuvenate.
An energised mind and body will be better placed to deal with whatever isn’t going well and support others to find their own peace in difficult times.
Make a list of the things that help you to feel good and turn to them in times of need even more than usual.
To connect with your next level self download my FREE Next Level You Meditation here.
Samantha Quemby, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Samantha is a certified Mindset Coach helping high achieving female entrepreneurs have unshakable confidence so they can play big in their business and get results without the hustle.
Samantha is passionate about supporting the women she works with to cultivate the feeling of success from the inside and to break free from the constant search for
external validation.
Her mission is to empower women to build a business that feels good for them, creates the fulfillment and freedom they crave, and leaves burnout behind!
She is trained in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Hypnosis, Life Coaching and Matrix Reimprinting and uses a mixture of these modalities within her coaching.
