Why am I like this!?

Anxiety and running late - not good for the personal brand :(

#Mental Pillar - reflections from today…

If you struggle with anxiety, and you’re looking to change ONE thing… like, right now, then try this: give yourself more time than you think you need to get somewhere. Has anyone ever been anxious due to running early? I think not.

I cannot count the amount of times that I panic drive / rush to get somewhere, all because I’ve given myself the exact amount of time / left too late - particularly frustrating when I had plenty of time to be ON TIME. Seriously, WHY AM I LIKE THIS!? Especially with Sydney parking and traffic… I mean seriously why!?

P.S. this literally happened to me (again!) today, so this entry, if anything, is a way of holding me, myself, and I bl**dy well accountable!

I think I know why… and I referenced this in one of my earlier posts: “With anxiety comes procrastination. Vicious cycle as, with procrastination, comes more anxiety. Due to this, I tend to only get to my more challenging to-do items (GETTING GOING) when the pressure is ON. And yes, pressure can be très useful, but it can also wreak havoc on my cortisol levels, and let’s be honest… I’ve already got enough cortisol in my system, thanks very much”.

Running late is an awful feeling, and the effects of it can really linger in my system throughout the day. You think that’d be lesson enough to never do it again. Nope. It’s a cortisol party and I’m always invited!

My 3 top tips / learnings on the matter:

• If you think you need 20 minutes to get somewhere, give yourself 30

• Is there something that you can move to another day? I find I sometimes pack my days to the brimmy brim brim, and then wonder why I’m running around like a headless chook. Do I really have to do all of those things today?

• If you are running late, just chill and deal with it. It’s not catastrophic and there’s nothing you can do about it. You’re going to be late, so, instead of panicking, breathe slowly and deeply, drive safe, and learn your lesson for next time.

Simply early / on time (from this very moment on),

Salty