I’ve been thinking about this idea a lot lately.

I guess it’s because I have seen success sabotaging behaviour in myself as a pattern that’s repeated throughout my career.

I also see a repeating pattern in the way many of my clients behave when it comes to making a change they know will be good for them.

When I know I have to make change, and that this change will potentially be great for me, here’s what I do.

I complain about the status quo and how unfair and unsatisfying that is to numerous (extraordinarily patient) friends.

Then I do a whole bunch of other things that are seemingly urgent, but not actually productive and going to help me in my plans.

When I have the air space to implement my idea, I find myself procrastinating and calling friends just for a chat, rather than sitting on my seat and getting on with what I need to do.

I talk about my new idea a lot to people, and I mean a lot.

And then after exhausting myself, I revert back to doing what I know I do well, until I have the next bright idea about changing something. [click to continue…]

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One of the challenges I’ve experienced in running my business is keeping healthy boundaries in my life.

There’s always something for me to do, and no matter how much great help, support and advice I’ve received, generally nobody cares about the business quite as much as I do. So I always find myself putting in long hours.

I’m not complaining here, mind you.

I love being completely accountable for something. But for me, 3 years ago, that intensity manifested in a couple of really frightening panic attacks.

This is not an experience I’m keen to repeat. My heart started to race out of control and I truly believed I was not going to be able to take another breath.

That time has passed – thank heaven.

However the experience led me down a path of making some big personal changes in my life and to make a dedicated effort to look after my physical and mental health more.

I see many stress symptoms in my clients as well.

That can be anything from focusing only on the negative when talking about their jobs, thinking that they’re locked into one career because it seems to hard to make a shift, or finding the thought of having to sell themselves in interview too overwhelming.

Stress is proven to stifle innovation.

So, if what I’ve said strikes a chord with you, or if you’re worried about how stress is impacting your work and life, click here to listen to my latest podcast with Career and Leadership Coach, Michael Norton. [click to continue…]

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