Janine: [00:00:00] Hello and welcome to Unleashing Brilliance. I'm Janine Garner and today we're going to dive into a topic that I think we can all relate to right now and that is the topic of how do we stay steady when the world around us feels heavy?
If you've been feeling worn out, weighed down by expectations or like the pressures of life and business just won't let up, then this episode is for you.
And this was a little bit personal because it was actually inspired by my English Springer Spaniel, Nalu. She taught me a really powerful lesson recently about grounding yourself, about staying calm. And finding light in challenging times. And we'll talk about how to find balance, how to connect with what really happens and bringing this sense of calm resilience into the middle of life's storms.
So wherever you're listening to this podcast, sit down, take a moment, [00:01:00] focusing, grab a cup of tea, find a quiet spot, and let's dive into this conversation together. So the other day I was working from home, um, head down, lost in the grind, when I glanced over at my English Springer Spaniel, Nalu. She was lying on the floor.
She wasn't just lying on the floor, she was actually sprawled out, totally at ease, her eyes half closed, completely calm, as if to say, I'm here and I'm okay. And in that moment, I thought about how I'd been feeling. exhausted, stretched, and just trying to keep it all together. And the way she was resting so peacefully reminded me of something I needed to do myself, to find my calm centre, even when life feels heavy. You see, halfway through this year, my family and I were hit with our fair share of challenges. And to be honest, it's been relentless ever since. And we're still working through [00:02:00] Much of it. We faced big changes and more than a few curve balls. And that wasn't just one of us. That was a few of us in the family.
And it really felt like every single day required us to give more than we had. Have you ever felt like that? You know, those, those times when everything around you seems to be spinning faster. It feels like you're, you're running on empty. Like you can't get a break. It's like one thing after the other, after the other.
Yeah. And through it all, I kept coming back to this one phase. This too shall pass. That's the first lesson Nalu reminded me of that day. Just being here, breathing, and staying grounded is a victory. Because let's be real, we've all been there. The truth is, life and business are full of these cycles, full of these curveballs.
And there are seasons of incredible growth, and there are equally seasons that feel barren. But here's the key, it's about how we choose to respond. I'm watching Nale that [00:03:00] day as I glanced across the side of me, really reminded me that resilience doesn't always look like charging ahead. Sometimes it's simply about staying steady.
Now, if you're nodding along with me thinking, yes, that's me, Janine, you know, you're, you're actually not alone. Research shows us that over 70 percent of small business owners actually experienced burnout at some time, especially when things aren't going according to plan. The truth is life will keep bringing us highs and lows, but here's the key difference.
It's about how we choose to respond. Dr. Lucy Hone is an esteemed psychologist and resilience researcher. She actually has an incredible TED talk, which you can search and find. And she reminds us that resilient people acknowledge that suffering is a part of every human existence. And the challenge actually lies in grounding ourselves through the waves.[00:04:00]
It's a bit like riding out a storm rather than pushing against it and that sort of hard push where you feel like you're not getting anywhere. It's riding through it because This too shall pass during one rough patch early on in my business, you know, everything felt like a relentless uphill battle, leads are dried up, clients were ghosting me, doors were closing in my face, left, right, and center again, we've all been there.
It was beyond discouraging, but what helped wasn't necessarily working harder. It was learning to stay grounded, to show up each day. Without letting that chaos around me define me. And Nale's calm presence reminded me that sometimes it's enough just to be, to keep showing up, even if you're only lying on the floor, breathing and staying present.
When life feels overwhelming, I do reckon that there are some practical strategies that we can all lean on that can make the difference. And what I want to share with you on today's podcast are [00:05:00] some of the key strategies. In fact, I've got six of them that I found to be incredibly grounding, both for myself and recently in this chaotic world that we're living in right now.
Where it feels like leaves are drying up or it feels like, there's not as much budget available. I've been sharing these with my clients and they've equally found them helpful and hence why I thought I'd jump on this podcast to share them with you now. Because these aren't just theoretical thoughts and ideas.
These are six actionable steps that can bring you back to your center when the world feels heavy. So let's, get started. Um, you've probably heard me speaking about this before. I've definitely written about it in many of my books. And the first step really is about anchoring yourself to your why. It's really interesting. I literally jumped off a mentoring call this week, where you could sense the chaos over the conversation and over the phone call. And my question was, why are you doing this? I want you to go back to why you [00:06:00] doing this in your business. Why did you start your business? Take me back to, I want you to close your eyes, rant with me, talk to me, share with me your passion and your dream.
Why did you start this up? That's what I want you to do. If you're feeling Like things are out of control. I want you to anchor yourself in your why because when things feel overwhelming or uncertain Reconnecting with your purpose is one of the most powerful ways to steady yourself now Think of your wires as the anchor in the storm It's that steady point that keeps you grounded no matter how tough or how rough the waters get It's a lot like a lighthouse You know, the lighthouse doesn't stop the storm, but the lighthouse does give you a reference point, a way to guide yourself safely through it.
And as Simon Sinek shared in his book, Start With Why, this is about the purpose that is behind Your drive and your momentum. Simon Sinek talks about the fact that people [00:07:00] don't buy what you do. They buy why you do it. And I think this is true also for our clients, for our team, for our family, but it's also important for us personally, this why this purpose, this intention, this contribution, whatever word works for you.
It's what keeps us going when everything else feels uncertain. the research support this studies show time and time again, that having a clear sense of purpose is linked to lower stress levels, increased motivation, and even contributes to longer life expectancy. let me share an example from my own journey. Um, when I launched my book, be brilliant. it was right in the middle of a pandemic. The timing was anything but ideal. Distribution channels were restricted. Bookstores were closed. People weren't out and about during the pandemic. And quite frankly, I think the last thing people were thinking about was how to become more brilliant.
So I faced significant step backs. But I didn't let that stop me [00:08:00] because my purpose wasn't just about the book sales. I felt driven to share a message of resilience, something I believed people really needed in that moment and focusing on that purpose, focusing on why I actually wrote the book rather than logistics, it kept me steady and ultimately that book found its way to readers who needed it.
It's my why that kept me going. Here's another example, that might resonate more with some of you. You know, if you think about elite athletes who've just come out of, out of the Olympics, these elite athletes spend years and years and years training for the Olympics. Years and years and years, every single day of beating their personal best.
And often though, that's with no guarantee that they're going to make it to the podium. Their anchor isn't just about the gold medal or hitting that podium. It's a deep, intrinsic love for the sport and a commitment to being the best they can be to self improvement in their sport. And [00:09:00] that purpose fuels them through those grueling training sessions, through the injuries, through the setbacks.
In fact, research shows that athletes with a strong sense of purpose always perform better under pressure, precisely because they're anchored in something that's beyond winning the medal. So if you're feeling stretched, I want you to take a few moments to reconnect with your why and to ask yourself, why did I start this journey?
What is the impact I hope to have? Because reconnecting with that will ground you, it will give you renewed clarity, and it can help you navigate through those tough times. The second point I want to make is one around creating a practice of pausing and reflection. You know, sometimes the most powerful action isn't pushing harder, but it's actually pausing to reflect, to get some perspective.
Because when we're caught up in the whirlwind, it's really hard to see the wood for the trees, but taking [00:10:00] that moment to step back, it can help us gain. or regain perspective. It can help us recognize what's actually working and it can also often help us identify the very thing that's really Really, really weighing us down.
And again, if we think about high performing companies, a recent Harvard's business review actually shared that companies that implement regular reflection practices where employees pause to review their progress and their challenges saw up to a 23 percent increase, in their productivity.
Compared to those who didn't, this simple act of pausing led to greater clarity and more strategic actions resulting in overall performance. I like to think of it like a pilot checking their instruments mid flight that they're not just flying blindly, but they're adjusting based on real time feedback.
And in my own business, we do this every single quarter with my elevator, my inner circle clients. [00:11:00] We literally take the time out of the business to reflect on on what we've actually achieved. It's funny. It makes me laugh every single time how we focus on what we haven't achieved. We focus on what we haven't got.
We focused on the sales that didn't come through versus actually acknowledging what we have done, the changes we have made, the 1 percent shift in our business, the things that we have won. We focus instead on the wins and the gains and celebratory moments. We focus on what's. Isn't actually happening.
And so every quarter in my own business and with my clients, we set this time aside to intentionally pause to look at what's been accomplished and to think about the path ahead. Doesn't have to be complicated. You know, sometimes it could just be five minutes at the end of the day. For you to think about the difference that that day has made.
The difference that you have made in that day. And [00:12:00] taking this time out to reflect, you might actually notice that you're making more progress than you thought you were making. So that's point number two. The third thing I want you to think about is really, and again I talk about this a lot, it's about leaning on your support network, particularly during these turbulent times. You know, it's often said that no person is an island and when life gets tough, this couldn't be truer. There's this natural tendency, if we're not careful to isolate ourselves and we're under stress, but that's actually when we most need to reach out.
And honestly, that's when we I can, share with you that for many years, my natural tendency was to go it alone. I'm all right, mate. I can do this. I've got my own back. And it's taken me years of personal coaching and personal development to be brave enough to reach out during difficult times to ask for help, to ask for support.
And when we do, [00:13:00] Oh my gosh, that whole thing about a problem shared is a problem halved. There's no doubt in my mind that a strong network isn't just nice to have. It's essential for our mental, emotional, and even our physical health. You know, Brene Brown put it wisely. She said, we don't have to do it all alone.
We actually were never meant to. And so having this network of support can make all of the difference. Acting as our personal lifeline through those roughest storms. When we have support. strong support network. It's proven through research that this reduces stress, it boosts our resilience, it improves our overall well being.
In fact, Stanford Uni found that people who regularly lean on a network during difficult times report significantly less stress. lower stress levels and lower anxiety levels than those that try and manage it on their own. So why wouldn't we? And in fact, individuals with strong social ties have, double their chances and their likelihood of survival compared to those with weak [00:14:00] social connections.
And those of you that have been following my work, For a while, know that this idea is close to my heart. It's at the core of my bestselling book, It's Who You Know, where I emphasize that building a powerful network isn't just about collecting contacts. It's about fostering these meaningful connections, these relationships that become a life raft during challenging times.
In fact, I often speak about the concept of transformational connections in my work. These are relationships that go beyond the surface. They are the ones that lift you up, that hold you steady. These are the ones that see potential in you, even when you're struggling to see it in yourself. Now, recently a friend of mine, who operates as a senior exec in a high stakes, high stress industry, she recently shared how her mentor network actually helped her make a critical decision when her company was facing a It's a huge, huge challenge.
She'd been feeling isolated. She'd been feeling unsure. She didn't have that [00:15:00] sounding board. But by reaching out to her trusted circle, she received invaluable guidance and fresh perspectives. Not only did this help her make a confident decision, but it also allowed her to see possibilities that she hadn't even considered.
And this is also something that I do in my inner circle community where regularly throughout the year, we'll, essentially invite perspective ideas, thoughts on our own businesses. We turn the mirror on. onto ourselves and we ask our colleagues that we trust to actually show us what we're potentially not seeing ourselves.
And this is what the opportunity is, right? Because your closest network can become that mirror that you need to see yourself, your challenge, what you're going through much more, quickly. you know, I like to think of this like, if I were to use our analogy, it's a bit like a bridge. And if you think about.
a bridge, in the context of that bridge during a [00:16:00] powerful storm. Just like a bridge needs strong pillars to stay upright, we too need our pillars of support around us because without them, we could easily buckle under pressure. But with those solid pillars, those trusted friends, mentors, influencers, advisors, We can actually withstand the weight.
We can stay steady and we can keep going. Now, if right now you're thinking, Oh, I don't have a network, Janine. I don't know how to do it. It's never too late to start. And as I outline in my book, it's who, you know, it's all about beginning with one person that you trust and to let that connection grow. So, Meaningful networks are built one genuine relationship at a time.
So reach out, build that circle of people who believe in you and believe in your capability, even in those toughest times, because this network, this circle can become the difference between feeling like you're treading water and actually moving forward with strength. So the [00:17:00] fourth thing I want you to think about is setting boundaries on your energy. I want you to think of your energy as a precious finite resource that much like money in a bank, each day you're going to start with a certain balance and everything you do either withdraws from or deposits. into that account.
If you spend your energy on things that don't align with your goals or your values, you're going to end up feeling depleted or with very little reserve to do what actually truly matters. Boundaries can be challenging to set, especially when we're conditioned to say yes to every single request. But here's the thing, saying no to those non essentials is actually about saying yes to your priorities.
We need to consider high impact activities that align with your purpose and your long term vision. I like to use the 80 20 rule. Spending 80 percent of our energy on the 20 percent of the activities that you know are going to yield the [00:18:00] greatest result. For example, instead of saying yes to every meeting or task, maybe prioritize the ones that are going to contribute directly to your goals.
Think of yourself as a gardener in this instance, you know, each time you have, each day, sorry, you have a limited amount of water, your energy, to tend to the plants in the garden. If you try to water absolutely everything, even the weeds, you risk running dry, but by focusing on nurturing only the most important plants, you're the projects and the people that truly matter, then you will ensure that your energy is used in a way that brings growth and fulfillment.
So really protect your energy. The fifth, tip that I've got is around celebrating small wins with intention. Celebrating small achievements may seem quite trivial, but it does have a profound effect on your mindset and your motivation. Research in neuroscience shows us that that recognizing [00:19:00] even small victories actually releases dopamine, that feel good, piece, that feel good neurotransmitter into our bodies, into our brains, which in turn helps reinforce positive behavior.
Celebrating your progress rewires your brain to focus on positivity and keeps you motivated even during bad times. Challenging times now think of each small win as a stepping stone across that stream. So by acknowledging each stone, you're building that momentum to reach to the other side where your larger goal lies.
For example, if you're working on a big project, maybe break it down into smaller milestones. And celebrate each one, whether that's a completed chapter of a book or a successful client call or hitting a new sales target, celebrate each one so that you feel like you are moving forward and you are achieving one step closer to your end goal.
[00:20:00] More time to acknowledge your progress, no matter how small, not only builds resilience, but it serves as a powerful reminder that you're moving forward, even in those tough times. And the final thought I've got to you is one about integrating self care without guilt. Here's the thing, right? In the world that we are all living in, that often glorifies overwork, sometimes self care can feel pretty indulgent.
But it's actually essential for sustainable success. Research shows that regular self care can boost productivity and creativity by as much as 30 percent. And self care isn't about escaping your responsibilities, it's about grounding yourself so you can return with renewed focus and resilience. Maybe think of self care as the way you maintain your own personal engine.
You know, just as a car requires regular oil changes and refueling, we too need routine maintenance to keep running smoothly. [00:21:00] Self care can look different for absolutely everyone. For some of you, it could be a 10 minute break to breathe deeply. For some of you, it could be going for a walk. For some of you, it could be sitting by the ocean or even setting an hour assigned to read or to meditate.
Whatever your choice of self care is, lock it in your calendar because these small actions reduce stress hormones and recharge your mental and emotional resilience. I put these things in my calendar just as I would a work meeting because this makes sure that you are holding yourself accountable, that you're not And it reinforces that taking care of ourselves is just as important as any other commitment.
Embracing self care without guilt can be transformative because it shifts, your thought process. It shifts your perspective and it enables you to bring the best to everything that you do. So if there's one thing I hope you take away from this episode, it's that tough times [00:22:00] don't last Every single storm passes eventually.
Now, watching Nali that day, I was reminded that sometimes the best thing we can do is just stay steady. Just stay rooted in our purpose, calm in our spirit, and grounded in what truly matters. You have within you everything you need to stay steady and to weather whatever comes your way. And when you do, you'll find that you come through stronger, more resilient, and more grounded in who you are.
So wherever you're at right now, trust that this too shall pass and that brighter days are ahead. Thank you so much for joining me on today's podcast. If this episode resonated, please share it with a friend who you think could do with this little reminder to stay steady. And as always reach out to me, I'd love to hear how you're finding strength, common purpose right now.
And until next time, keep moving forward, stay grounded. And remember, you've absolutely got this. I'll [00:23:00] see you on the next episode of unleashing brilliance.