So, as my Christmas gift to you, here are my steps to help you enjoy Christmas:

1. Please Yourself!

Start with knowing what you want.  When you return to the daily routine in the New Year and people ask “How was your Christmas?” what do you want the answer to be?  Take a minute, put yourself first and acknowledge what would make the next two weeks ideal for you.  This is your priority.  Let others in your life know what would make the difference, to make this the best Christmas you’ve had so that they can contribute.

2. Plan.

Now that you know what you want and what your priorities are you can get organised.  Many people find that their stress levels are low simply by being organised and feeling that everything is under control.  Remember to be realistic.

3. Prepare.

How much can be prepared in advance of when it is needed?  Doing things in advance of the deadlines means you avoid the stress of a last minute dash.  It allows you to take time over what’s important.  Your plan shows you what needs to happen, preparation helps you keep ahead of the game.  Advance preparations allow you more time to enjoy yourself later.

4. Postpone procrastination.

If you’re anything like me, you may find yourself distracted.  We put off things that need to be done while we do the little tasks that could actually wait and which aren’t moving us towards that ideal Christmas.  Instead of procrastinating with distractions, keep an eye on what you’ve chosen to do and stick to the plan.  Whatever you do now, check that it’s taking you a step nearer to having what you want (not further away).  Making progress is both rewarding and motivating.

5. Pass to someone else.

It is OK to ask for help!  Is the voice in your head stopping you from delegating some of the plan?  What would happen if you asked somebody else to take on some of the tasks?  Who can you involve?

6. Pause.

When you feel the stress button being pushed, stop.  Take a few slow, deep breaths and relax.  Choose to take a moment.  What was it that pressed the stress button?  What can you do about it?

7. Protect your “me” time.

Taking time out to rest and recharge the batteries is a key part of keeping the stress levels low.  When you have some time for you, you’ll come back to your “to do” list with more energy and motivation than if you neglect yourself and try to soldier on.  Enjoy doing all those things that are important to you.  This is payback when you get to enjoy the fruits of your labours.

Whatever you plan to do over the festive season, I wish you a very happy, relaxed Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

I often find that clients feeling the effects of stress have these factors in common:

• They feel that they don’t have anybody they can talk to about it.
• They fear that if they bring the subject up, it will impact their future career progression within the organisation.
• They worry that asking for help is saying that they can’t do their job.
• They feel that they should be able to cope with all that they’re experiencing.
• The fear that asking for help is admitting defeat.
• They don’t know what they can do about it.

Perhaps you relate to some, or all, of these points.

Let me share with you part of my background.  I was in the position where I was working extremely long hours.  I was taking on everything that was asked of me because the voice in my head said “if they’re asking you to do it, then they think you can manage”.  I didn’t want to say “I can’t cope”.  As well as work pressure, there were other factors outside work, including the death of a close friend.  I recognise now that I had many of the symptoms of high stress levels and this continued for many months, compounding the problem.  It had a detrimental effect on my home life, my work, my relationships with colleagues and my own feeling of self worth.  I reached burnout point.

For this reason, I can say with complete integrity:  “I know how you feel” and, more importantly, “I know that it can be different”.

If you are suffering from stress at work, what can you do about it?

Top three stess management tips

1.  The first step, and perhaps one of the hardest things, is to acknowledge what is going on.  Now, take a deep breath and congratulate yourself.  It may be the first time you’ve recognised there is a problem.

2.  Identify all the ways in which your stress levels are causing you problems.  List them now.  See what you are putting up with.  Do you want it to continue?  Would you like it to change?

3.  Give yourself permission to ask for help.  It is OK to seek the appropriate support.  In fact, I’d argue that it is the responsible thing to do.

One of the ways you can find solutions to your levels of stress is to work with a coach, like Nikki Wild at Wild Empowerment, who is experienced in helping clients in this area.

10 benefits of stress mangaement coaching:

1.  You regain control now. You have made a conscious choice that you will turn things around and the coaching process ensures that you are in control every step of the way.  No more dancing to somebody else’s tune.  You make the choices and select what comes next.

2.  You implement strategies that work and that enable you to manage what you are doing.  You don’t have to fit into somebody else’s mould.  You find what works for you.
3.  You have a confidential sounding board.  You can work with somebody independent from the organisation knowing that what you disclose will remain between you and your coach.  You don’t need to worry about the boss thinking you can’t cope.

4.  Flexibility of when and how often you work with your coach means that this is part of the solution, not adding more stress.  The sessions fit around your schedule.

5.  Often, employers will invest in the coaching on your behalf as part of their support to you.  Employers know the benefits of reducing stress in the workplace – such as reduced levels of absence, improved relationships, and so on so invest in solving the problem.

6.  Peace of mind returns and you can think clearly again.  Often there is so much mind chatter that it is hard to concentrate and focus on what is important.

7.  No more dreading Monday morning.  Working with your coach, you reconnect with what it is that motivates you about your work so that you look forward to Monday morning.

8. Improved health as a result of reducing the symptoms of stress.  The impact of excessive stress on things like sleep, appetite and other health areas are well publicised.

9.  Build your support network. Part of the coaching process allows you to establish who else is on your side so you have your own network of cheer leaders to call on when you need that extra boost.

10.  Relaxation replaces tension. Reminding yourself how to relax body and mind, shutting off the mind chatter, means that the body can implement it’s natural mechanisms to remove the harmful stress chemicals.  Did you know that when you experience high levels of stress, IQ levels drop by 20% because of the chemical activity in the brain?  5 minutes relaxation has the same benefit as 20 minutes exercise and you can do it at your desk without anybody noticing!

Your next step

What are your stress levels at the moment?  Are they something you would like to reduce?

If you’d like to do something about your stress, Wild Empowerment is offering a confidential, complimentary stress audit during the month of October to the first ten interested parties.  That’s just ten places available so contact us now to secure your place and take the first step towards a stress free working day.

What you get:

In this complimentary 45 minute call (value £147),

• you will get three sure fire ways to instantly help your stress levels,
• you will identify your key stress triggers so that you are aware of the “danger zones”
• you will create your action plan for what to do next.

Once you register, you will be contacted to schedule the call at a time that is mutually convenient.  We will work around your other commitments.

So, act now and register your interest while it’s fresh in your mind.  The solution to your stress is only a mouse click away!

If you are an employer, you may be interested that the CIPD have published a guide on Stress in the Work Place.  Follow the link to download it from the CIPD website.

If you know somebody who is experiencing high levels of stress, why not forward them the link to this article?

I appreciate that your time is precious and not everybody can fit appointments into their working day to enjoy the benefits of working with Wild Empowerment.  So, to make your life easier, I have created Wild Empowerment Online.

Now you can take advantage of all that the Online programme offers.

You get a web based programme that allows you to work where you want, when you want to so you choose the time that’s right for you whilst still getting the same great results.  You no longer need to arrange sessions to fit around my availability.  If you want to work late at night or early in the morning, that’s fine.   You could even use the programme while on holiday.   You simply log on when it is convenient for you.

In addition to the online material, you can still have input from me along the way, as you complete each module, to ensure that you stay on track and see the progress you are making.  The beauty of the programme is that you choose how much direct contact to have – whether it’s a phone call each month to check in with your progress or a weekly conversation to support you through the challenges you are facing, you select the level that’s right for you.

This is my most flexible package yet so, to get the best of both worlds, contact me to register now while it’s fresh in your mind.

That’s not all, I reward those who take decisive action so there will be a special offer discount for the first ten clients who register for the Online programme.  To take advantage of this fantastic offer, just register your interest now and you’ll know you’re at the front of the queue for the limited number of places.

I look forward to working with you.

Nikki Wild

Do you know what you want to do and just don’t have the time to do it all?  Does the idea of taking time out to plan the coming weeks and months sound like a luxury you can’t afford?  Do you find that there’s always something urgent getting in the way?  You’ve come to the right place!

I appreciate that your time is precious and not everybody can fit appointments into their working day to enjoy the benefits of working with Wild Empowerment.  So, to make your life easier, I have created Wild Empowerment Online.

My personal invitation to you is to join me at the launch in September and be the first to take advantage of all that the Online programme offers.

You get a web based programme that allows you to work where you want, when you want to so you choose the time that’s right for you whilst still getting the same great results.  You no longer need to arrange sessions to fit around my availability.   If you want to work late at night or early in the morning, that’s fine.   You could even use the programme while on holiday.   You simply log on when it is convenient for you.

In addition to the online material, you can still have input from me along the way, as you complete each module, to ensure that you stay on track and see the progress you are making.  The beauty of the programme is that you choose how much direct contact to have – whether it’s a phone call each month to check in with your progress or a weekly conversation to support you through the challenges you are facing, you select the level that’s right for you.

This is my most flexible package yet so, if you want the best of both worlds, contact me to register your interest and I will keep you informed about the launch.

That’s not all, I reward those who take decisive action so there will be a special offer discount for the first clients who register for the Online programme when it launches.  To take advantage of this fantastic offer, just register your interest now and you’ll know you’re at the front of the queue for the limited number of places.

I look forward to working with you.

Nikki Wild

The answer is twofold:

1. They have a compelling vision of what it is that they want.  Not some vague idea of more money or more free time but a specific, well thought out target to aim for.  More importantly, that target is a positive outcome.  Rather than focussing on what they don’t want (e.g. I don’t want to feel this stress), they focus on what they do want (e.g. I want more freedom).
2. Having got that clear, target in mind, the next difference is that they take action.  Whatever they do, they’re moving towards that target.  They do what it takes to make it happen.  If they don’t have the skills, they either learn them or find somebody who has them and delegate to them.

The question is this:  If we know the secret of success, why aren’t more people implementing it?
In talking to clients, time and again the reason is that they are distracted.  Perhaps you can relate to this too.  Whether it’s by external factors demanding your attention, conflicting priorities or the internal voice undermining your confidence and commitment there is something getting in the way.

Imagine a bicycle.  The rear wheel is all your training and talents that you’ve developed over the years.  It’s your technical ability.  The front wheel is your ability to communicate and you steer your bike with your wisdom about where and when to apply your talents.  All that knowledge and training is great but your bike isn’t going anywhere unless the cyclist is motivated, knows which direction to follow and is committed to completing the journey.

I’d like to share with you a solution to the sabotage.  I had the pleasure of being introduced to Brian Mayne’s Goal Mapping system nearly a year ago.  It is used in large organisations such as Microsoft, Siemens and BT as well as by SMEs, schools and individuals and it was a revelation to me.  Goal Mapping is simple to understand and easy to implement yet successfully resolves things which may have been deep rooted for many years.  What makes it unique is the combination of logical, left brain reasoning with creative, right brain intuition.

The very act of creating a Goal Map commits it as an instruction to your mind to carry out.  I started using Goal Mapping as a tool both personally and in the business and it has proved to be successful in every application.
I believe so much in the Goal Mapping process that I became a Certified Practitioner.  I teach the technique to my clients at workshops or individually.  As a result, they have a clear understanding of what they will do next, a sense of purpose driving their motivation and a tool to apply over and over again in their personal lives and their businesses.

You can request a download of the Goal Mapping flier and other articles on the free stuff page.

I will leave you with these three questions to answer:

1. What is the one thing which, if you could change it, would make the biggest improvement to your working day?
2. What needs to happen to make that change?
3. How great will your working day be once you have made that change?

I look forward to hearing from you when you send me your answers.

Telephone to find out more about Brian Mayne’s Goal Mapping or see the Goal Mapping page.