Have you been feeling a bit rushed—overwhelmed by all you have
in front of you?  My suggestion is to remember that you do have
the choice to respond—even when others have made your plans a mess.

I am reminded often that I am a “work in progress.”  During a writing session this past week, I re-read a passage I wrote a few years ago:

Two suggestions to guide your days to come:

*You will be confronted with situations that are not of your choosing.
Recognize that you have the choice on how you handle and respond to those situations.

*Living a life of wellness and balance is a lifestyle choice.
Embrace your ability to choose and live each day honestly, responsibly, and respectfully!

(Choices for College Success, 2e. Pearson Education. 2011)

Image: dan/
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

At times, just like other people, I feel like I am losing control and my world is devolving into chaos.  Currently, I am in the midst of a hectic professional schedule that includes travel for speaking engagements, a book revision, webinar preparations, and general day-to-day activities of keeping a business going.

Reality #1: It is all good!  I am learning and growing.  My business plan is working. And, I am meeting wonderful people along the way.

Reality #2: Every piece of this is my choice.  True enough, some curves have been thrown my way.  Other people have created situations that have presented challenges for me.  They created the situations—I, however, must handle these situations.

On a recent road trip, I was talking to my wife while waiting for a connecting flight out of Denver.  As I rattled on about all I had to do, I could feel my muscles tense and breathing quicken. I felt overwhelmed.  The problem, at that moment for me was that I was drowning in the big picture.

Image: koratmember/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Find your own RSS. While the long view is helpful, I know that if I only concentrate on the end result I end up overwhelming myself.  What I needed to do was to stop, breathe, and break things down to their smallest components.  For me, on that day, at that time, I broke it down into real simple steps: when the flight ends, get off the plane. Then find the rental car location. Load my gear into the car. Find the highway. Drive.

Video recommendation for the week:

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is to stay aware of what I am feeling and thinking. I have to listen to my body.  This helps me to do a lot more responding rather than reacting.  It is healthier. This allows me to embrace my ability to choose and live each day honestly, responsibly, and respectfully—for me and those I live and with whom I work.  That is integrity to oneself.

Have you been feeling a bit rushed—overwhelmed by all you have in front of you?  My suggestion is to remember that you do have the choice to respond—even when others have made your plans a mess.  Focus on the healthiest, simplest, and most positive step. Then do it.  Then repeat for the next step.  Slow and steady will get you to your goal.  You can pick up the pace as you feel more in control.

Back to the Denver airport…On that day I had to remember (with the help of my bride) my own mantra to choose well, live well, and be well.  From this “work in progress”—those are good words to live by.

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

On July 15, I will offer my next webinar. The topic: Fostering Civility and Nurturing an Attitude of Gratitude.   Take advantage of this complementary offering.  Click here to register now for the webinar.  Or go to my website for registration information. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Please share it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You also can follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page and join in–or start–a conversation (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli).  If you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment. Make it a wonderful week!

 ©2013. Steve Piscitelli