Non-CEP - share your good stuff

[mrsukyankee]

I think it's always good to post about any wins you are having, even if they are itty bitty. Mine is that I was asked to write an article for my uni's online newsletter for the health and wellness section and I think it's turned out quite nicely. I thought I'd share here.


How to Get out of My Head and Focus



Have you ever felt just stuck in your head, with unhelpful thoughts just swirling around, getting in your way of moving forward and focusing on the task at hand? Yeah, me too. It’s very frustrating. And yet, there are some exercises which you may be able to use, that will help, depending on the situation you find yourself in.

Our brains are constantly trying to problem solve that that bring us anxiety, frustration and fear. It doesn’t know that it’s not a bear coming at us that could kill us. That part of our brain that deals with fight, flight or freeze responses will even see a 1000 word paper as dangerous. Unfortunately, the messages it sends tend to be about short-term solutions for the those feelings (“It’s okay, you can do it tomorrow”). And sometimes, our brains send messages that once worked but are now inhibiting (for ex, “This is so tough” may have once made us work harder but now makes us want to hide in bed). We have to figure out ways to deal with those currently unhelpful thoughts so that we can do what is best for us, in the short- AND long-term.

Guy Winch, in his Ted Talk, “How to Turn Off Work Thoughts During Your Free Time”, speaks of taking those thoughts and posing it as a problem to solve. For example, if you are getting overwhelmed by all the work you have, and your brain is saying, “There’s no way I’m going to get it done”, you can instead ask yourself, “Can I problem solve this?”. Perhaps it means breaking tasks down into small bits, or figuring out a schedule. And once you’ve figured out a solution, well, then you don’t have to worry about that thought. But, Liane, my brain keeps sending that thought over and over. What do I do? Well, dear reader, one idea is to have a lovely conversation with your brain. “Hey brain, thanks for trying to get me motivated to do work, but I already dealt with this thought.” And then let it go.

Other things that have worked for my clients, and myself, have included writing down and leaving thoughts behind in a notebook, checking off the thought every time it comes up, and then turning back to what you are trying to do. If you struggle to get yourself started, give yourself permission to just do the activity for 5 minutes and then you can stop. At least it’s 5 minutes more than before. Or try doing it badly. I had a client write the worst possible paragraph she could to start off her thesis. She found out just how hard it is to write really badly and could move forward more easily (as it could only get better). For those with a visual mind, imagine the part of your brain that sends you unhelpful and critical thoughts as being a separate entity from you (and if we look at the brain, in some ways, it actually is). Make it a person or a character who is sitting on your shoulder like a devil telling you all the bad things. Acknowledge what they’ve said and then knock them off your shoulder. How dare they tell you that you aren’t good enough! (I’ll be honest, I use a politician I don’t like as my critical voice, so that I can imagine them tumbling off my shoulder. Can’t feel anxious when I’m giggling.)

Dealing with persistent and intrusive thoughts is tough to do, especially if it’s something that’s been going on for a while. We have gotten so many messages from our past experiences, so they feel so real and immediate. Yet, even if you believe what your brain is telling you is true, is that “truth” actually helping you? If you think it’s probably hindering your progress, then it’s worth trying to make a change. Just the act of asking yourself, “Is this helpful?” can sometimes be enough.



Other resources you can check out:

The Confidence Gap or The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris

Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think by Denis Greenberger & Christine Padesky

Overcoming Anxiety by Helen Kennerley

[StrawberryBlondie]

I had an emergency project dropped in my lap today and I thought it would take all day.

Turned out to be much easier than expected - finished it an hour ago.

[jamaicam]

My cat is looking very lovely of late. She loves having me working from home and spends most of her time sat on the chair next to me in my study

[BlondeSpiders]

I have my PYR conversation today, and I'm 98% sure it will bring a raise. We lost 1 person on our 3 person team in layoffs last fall, and I have absorbed every single one of my former cw's duties. Most days I'm tearing my hair out, but I'm literally doing the job of 2 people. I'm hoping for 5%, but it might just be 3. Who knows? We did just lay off 8% of our workforce. I'd hate if that's what made these increases possible. I'll update later.

ETA: Well, my review was pretty positive, and I got a 3% raise. I'm satisfied.

[InBetweenDays]

We have a field test site that is enclosed in a fence. The fence needs to be repaired, but there is an encampment right up against the fence line. We don't want the encampment swept, or removed, but we need them off the fence so we can do the repairs and I had been struggling with how to do that safely and considerately. This is SO not in my wheelhouse.

Just had a great phone call with someone from our city and I think they're going to provide a team to help us work with the people living there to move them off the fence temporarily and clean up the area so the fencing crew can come in (and of course offer them alternate resources if they want them). Then once the fence is complete the people can move their tents back to where they were. In return we'll allow them to run extension cords to power outlets we have on site.

[pixy0stix]

I've been having fun Dukes of Hazarding it over the snow plow embankment behind my driveway. I'm sure it's not great for my car, but nothing has broken yet.

[Scout'sHonor]

I had to take my car for service, so I crossed the street to get coffee and just sat outside in the sunshine listening to their music and watching cars go by. It was freaking glorious.

[smock]

I managed to write a new trilogy during the pandemic––okay, to be fair, I wrote 55,000 words in 2019, but the other 145,000 words were all from Nov 2020-Feb. 2021. I just saw the covers today and I'm IN LOVE. I didn't think I had any creativity in me when the lockdown started, but it was such an amazing outlet.

Also it's about 15th-century female assassins who poison abusive husbands lol.

Oh, and if you have any interest in a free copy of book one in exchange for a review, hit me up! I'm aiming for an April release.

[seeyalater52]

My boss has raised several new grants this week that together total almost 8 million for the next few years. We are drowning in money and funder interest so it's finally our moment to shine (!!!) but kind of overwhelming. I felt like I wasn't juggling everything super well because it's all hitting at once but my boss shared yesterday that when the funding comes through she'd like to hire staff for our team and make me the senior lead with direct reports. I've been the senior lead in practice for a while but this would come with a raise and title bump so it would be a really big deal.

[nothingcontroversial]

I saw a heron today. 

[MeMyselfandI]

I currently have a 4.0 in my Master's program.

[erbear]

I've been teaching myself how to paint over the last year. I'm getting better! These are my latest efforts (some watercolor, some acrylics). Sorry these are huge!








@@@@@@

This one is my kid - my first and only attempt so far at a portrait!

[erbear]

Mar 18, 2021 12:16:51 GMT -5 smock said:

I managed to write a new trilogy during the pandemic––okay, to be fair, I wrote 55,000 words in 2019, but the other 145,000 words were all from Nov 2020-Feb. 2021. I just saw the covers today and I'm IN LOVE. I didn't think I had any creativity in me when the lockdown started, but it was such an amazing outlet.

Also it's about 15th-century female assassins who poison abusive husbands lol.

Oh, and if you have any interest in a free copy of book one in exchange for a review, hit me up! I'm aiming for an April release.

I'd totally do this! I don't really have any qualifications for a review outside of the fact that I love books!

[Vespasia]

This a feel good/sad story about a local restaurant that I love. 
www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2021/03/18/ekiben-restaurant-baltimore-cancer/

I've actually eaten that broccoli tempura while sitting in my car several times over the past year. 

[mbcdefg]

I ran a two-day webinar series this week. One of the speakers emailed my company’s CEO and specifically mentioned me by name, and said they want to do more business with us in the future.

[raangoli]

I advocated for myself yesterday during my employee development discussion. I said straight up that I deserve to be at a higher level and named XYZ reasons why.

I have learned I need to be straight up about what I want and that requires me to come out of my comfort zone. It was terrifying and empowering all at once.

[smock]

Mar 18, 2021 12:29:40 GMT -5 erbear said:

Mar 18, 2021 12:16:51 GMT -5 smock said:

I managed to write a new trilogy during the pandemic––okay, to be fair, I wrote 55,000 words in 2019, but the other 145,000 words were all from Nov 2020-Feb. 2021. I just saw the covers today and I'm IN LOVE. I didn't think I had any creativity in me when the lockdown started, but it was such an amazing outlet.

Also it's about 15th-century female assassins who poison abusive husbands lol.

Oh, and if you have any interest in a free copy of book one in exchange for a review, hit me up! I'm aiming for an April release.

I'd totally do this! I don't really have any qualifications for a review outside of the fact that I love books!

That's all you need! I'll put you on my ARC list and send you a DM once I've got an ebook ready for you!

[glitzy07]

The buyer that I work with directly emailed my boss to ask for my address because she wanted to send me flowers as a thank you for all of my hard work recently. My boss didn't want to ruin the surprise but asked me if it was ok to share my address, and then later asked if I got flowers from the buyer. I never got flowers, but it's the thought that counts (right?) and she basically told my boss that I'm doing awesome by asking for the info, so I'll take it!

[Poeticxpassion]

Mar 18, 2021 12:16:51 GMT -5 smock said:

Oh, and if you have any interest in a free copy of book one in exchange for a review, hit me up! I'm aiming for an April release.

I would love to do this! 

[smock]

Mar 18, 2021 13:59:30 GMT -5 Poeticxpassion said:

Mar 18, 2021 12:16:51 GMT -5 smock said:

Oh, and if you have any interest in a free copy of book one in exchange for a review, hit me up! I'm aiming for an April release.

I would love to do this! 

Awesome; I'll reach out via PM within the next week!

[foundmylazybum]

Today I ran 8.93 miles and was out on my feet for an 1hr :22 min doing the workout.

Last year at this time I was in between my surgery and starting chemo and today there were several parts of the run where I was in the 6 min.

Not bad for ole girl lol.

Earlier this week I ran my run up into the bigger trails around my house. I felt so grateful to be there.

[audette]

Mar 18, 2021 12:16:51 GMT -5 smock said:

I managed to write a new trilogy during the pandemic––okay, to be fair, I wrote 55,000 words in 2019, but the other 145,000 words were all from Nov 2020-Feb. 2021. I just saw the covers today and I'm IN LOVE. I didn't think I had any creativity in me when the lockdown started, but it was such an amazing outlet.

Also it's about 15th-century female assassins who poison abusive husbands lol.

Oh, and if you have any interest in a free copy of book one in exchange for a review, hit me up! I'm aiming for an April release.

I suck at the followthru for reviews, but if you PM me the book name(s), I would be happy to purchase.

[idahome]

smock: I would love an ARC for a review. My goal is 100 books this year and reading yours would help me get there. If you need another review, please let me know.

[smock]

Mar 18, 2021 16:03:35 GMT -5 audette said:

Mar 18, 2021 12:16:51 GMT -5 smock said:

I managed to write a new trilogy during the pandemic––okay, to be fair, I wrote 55,000 words in 2019, but the other 145,000 words were all from Nov 2020-Feb. 2021. I just saw the covers today and I'm IN LOVE. I didn't think I had any creativity in me when the lockdown started, but it was such an amazing outlet.

Also it's about 15th-century female assassins who poison abusive husbands lol.

Oh, and if you have any interest in a free copy of book one in exchange for a review, hit me up! I'm aiming for an April release.

I suck at the followthru for reviews, but if you PM me the book name(s), I would be happy to purchase.

Haha, of course! I'll probably make a braggy Non-CEP post once they're released with Amazon links.

[smock]

Mar 18, 2021 16:35:04 GMT -5 idahome said:

smock : I would love an ARC for a review. My goal is 100 books this year and reading yours would help me get there. If you need another review, please let me know.

Absolutely! I'll add you to the list!

[JayhawkGirl]

Mar 18, 2021 12:23:54 GMT -5 nothingcontroversial said:

I saw a heron today. 

We have these around our area and I’m always struck by how pretty they are. It’s one of my first signs of spring when one flies over my house to get to the creek. That, and the yellow finches.

And I’m not a bird watcher

[JayhawkGirl]

MIL decided to sell her home here, but with the indefinite overseas living that has come about, I am handling it all. And I’m way ahead of schedule. It’s going to be intensely hard work for a bit but then I’m free of so much ongoing work! And -AND - she thanked me! And complimented me!!!

[sugarbear]

@@

I'm in the middle of P-T conferences and my boss has reached to tell me that several folks have emailed him post conference to tell him what a great teacher I am and how much their kids are enjoying my class.

[mbcdefg]

Mar 18, 2021 17:11:50 GMT -5 JayhawkGirl said:

Mar 18, 2021 12:23:54 GMT -5 nothingcontroversial said:

I saw a heron today. 

We have these around our area and I’m always struck by how pretty they are. It’s one of my first signs of spring when one flies over my house to get to the creek. That, and the yellow finches.

And I’m not a bird watcher

We’ve had a small hawk in the wooded area around our house, and MH pointed him out this morning sitting up high in a tree.

After dinner I happened to look in the yard again, without my glasses on, and proudly announced that I saw him again near the base of a tree eating something.

MH said, “No, that’s a squirrel eating a bagel.”

Not sure how I messed that one up.

[Saudade]

I have a strong personality, I am very vocal about standing up for what is right (especially at work), and I don't have a lot of close friends. I don't generally have a good opinion about myself or have much self-esteem.

But many times over the last few months of my clinical rotations patients have reached out to my preceptor or commented on the Press-Ganey surveys about how much they enjoyed working with me or being cared for by me.

I also got another Daisy award at work.