Organization as a sanity saver
Jamie Holms, RVT, says her extraordinary organizational skills are a coping strategy that developed during a traumatic childhood. Quite simply, she learned to control as many factors as she could to help her deal with all of the chaos and stress she faced daily.
Today those organizational skills make her a valued team member and help her accomplish her goals.
Coping strategies are interesting. We all have them. We all need them. Some are healthy and productive, others are not, but all of them spring from a place of self-protection.
The tricky part about coping strategies is that they often have their roots in childhood. You may not be aware of what you do to help yourself manage stress or deal with overwhelm because you’ve been doing it for so long that the behaviors are on autopilot. You may not even notice when you’re using them.
Jamie had to make deliberate choices and learn new strategies to ensure that she brings forth the best of her coping skills and leaves behind the elements that no longer serve her.
Developing the self-awareness to observe your behavior and make deliberate choices about it is quite simply the most powerful, life-changing skill ever. It allows you to explore new ways of being, to find what feels right and true for you, and to make deliberate choices about how you want to live your life.
Easier said than done, right? Absolutely. There’s a learning curve here, but it’s worth it. So worth it.
And this awesome discussion with Jamie Holms is filled with practical tips to get you started.
Volunteering, the surprising feel-good strategy
When you are stressed out with too much to do and too little time, one of the best things you can do is volunteer to help others. Really.
Links worth clicking
- 168 Hours, You Have More Time than You Think, by Laura Vanderkam
- I Know How She Does It, by Laura Vanderkam
- Dr. Andy Roark
- Uncharted Vet Conference
- Recover Initiative, the CPR training is great for improving team communication
- Therapy styles mentioned: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Subscribe to UNLEASHED (at work & home) on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or Stitcher
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