It was the perfect storm.

My staff members at work were juggling two major client deliverables due at the same time. Despite all hands on deck, our company resources were stretched.

I was also negotiating the renewal of a federal contract. Preparing for annual employee reviews. Running the company.

AND did I mention helping my daughter plan her out-of-town wedding.

All at the same time.

Don’t get me wrong. These were all good things! I wanted to be hands-on and involved in everything. But at a certain point, I realized: Wow, I am really not functioning at my best.

Related: Is Your To-Do List Getting You Down?

My resiliency — personally and professionally — was taxed. In hindsight, I can see it. At the time, I just felt it. I was exhausted. And irritable! That was the last straw.

I knew I needed to reset. Quickly.

So, I took a step back to assess. Then, I moved into action.

I started by making a timeline. On it, I included the deadlines and events — as well as all the things to complete along the way.

Next, I made lists. What was I completely responsible for?  Where could I delegate?  What was non-negotiable? Where did I have ANY wiggle room to adjust the schedule?

When it came to priorities, I had to make difficult choices. I “zoomed” rather than travel out of town to finalize last-minute wedding details. And I pushed employee reviews back by two weeks.

And — this one was a toughie! —  I made peace with the fact I wasn’t going to make everyone happy.

All of it helped. But something was still missing. What I really needed was a BIG boost of positive energy! I needed some inspiration.

Power Challenge: Create a Resiliency “Toolkit” to Inspire Yourself

When energy is low, emotions run high.

“How will I EVER get all of this done in time?”

“Another deadline?!!”

“I should be able to juggle all these things. What’s wrong with me?”

“How did all this land on MY plate?”

“I CAN’T fail!”

Sound familiar? If your resiliency is waning, you might feel anxious. Frustrated. Discouraged. Angry. Stuck. It’s important to recognize your particular signs.

Berating yourself won’t help. In these moments, you need an influx of positive energy and optimism.

But when you’re in this state, inspiration feels out of reach. Don’t wait for the shoes to drop! And don’t slide into negative inspiration. Be proactive.

Put together a resiliency toolkit when you’re in a positive headspace, feeling empowered, confident and energetic.

Then, when you’re having one of those days, you can pull out your list and draw from those great ideas to get back on track. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself for it!

Where can you find the “oomph” to move forward? Only you know what’s best for you, but here are a few ideas to consider:

Gain perspective. When you’re deep in the weeds, it’s hard to see a way out. Take a step back and assess what’s really going on. Sometimes just documenting the situation and coming up with a game plan is enough to get you over the hump — and into action.

Recognize you may not be able to do it all. Give yourself some grace. Ask for help or put it on the back burner.

And remember the temporary nature of challenges. This too shall pass!

Give yourself an inspiring pep talk. You’ve been through hard times before, and you’ve survived!

Remind yourself of times you thought couldn’t do something — but you did it. And did it well. Recall your proudest moments and greatest successes. They don’t have to be monumental! They just need to reconnect you with your own sense of capability and inspiration.

Use music to cut through your exhaustion. A growing body of research shows music can impact our moods and energy.

Make a playlist of songs you respond to. Maybe it’s a beat that makes your body move. Or lyrics that help you believe the “impossible” really is possible. Or the message and the music together make you feel uplifted, knowing you’re very supported and not just alone.

Go “shopping” in your list of favorite motivational quotes. Choose one that speaks to where you are and gives you a feeling of hope, motion, possibility or “can-do.”

Allow it to really sink in. Put it where you can’t help but see it throughout the day, perhaps on a sticky note or your phone background.

Get moving! It sounds so simple … and it is! Physical movement creates energy. Go for a 10-minute walk around the block or, better yet, in a nature setting. Feel the air as it touches your skin. Feed your senses by taking in the sights, sounds and smells.

Or, rest, if that’s what you need. Give yourself permission to take a day – or even an hour – off to recharge your batteries. In fact, can you even navigate yourself to feeling inspired to rest?

We tend to focus on active productivity —  buzzing around like bees getting stuff done. But passive productivity can offer us space to come up with some of our most creative ideas.

Related: Are You Taking a Break? I Am!

Find awe in everyday moments. Allow yourself to feel inspired by the simplest of things. Perhaps it’s an ant carrying three times its weight! Or a flower with complex colors, beautifully intermingled. Or an artfully designed building or a piece of landscaping.

Seek and welcome support. It took me a long time to internalize it’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help. You don’t have to do it all — or all by yourself! Most people are happy to lend a hand. (And surprise, they even enjoy it.)

Avoid isolation. Talk things out with a trusted colleague, who may be able to help you see things in a different light or offer suggestions you haven’t considered.

A good friend can inspire you with cheerleading. Go back to basics. Pick up the phone or meet for coffee!

A Little Boost Goes a Long Way!

If you’re stuck in a traffic jam, it can feel like you’ll be trapped on the road forever. Your pulse quickens a bit. Your anxiety inches up a notch — or ten! Especially if there’s somewhere you need to be.

And then the jam disperses. You’re traveling at normal speeds. Enjoying the ride again.

Life is like traffic. Some periods in our lives are smooth sailing. Others, not so much.

When you’re stuck in a traffic jam, you have little choice but to ride it out.

In life, you may not have control over some circumstances. But you do have control over how you respond. You always have the power to use your tools to inspire yourself.  To choose your thoughts, reactions and behaviors.

Inspiring yourself and keeping your resiliency strong will allow you to choose well.

Looking for a motivational speaker for your next event? Carla energizes and inspires attendees to be the best version of themselves that they can be. Contact her today.