It is easy to get so wound up with worry that we make decisions based on fear rather than inspiration. Unfortunately, these decisions often have to be revisited and reconsidered because they rarely lead us in the direction we want to go. As much as we want to take action to make an uncomfortable situation go away, it is often better to pause and find something else to focus on for a while. Rather than a form of escape, we are allowing ourselves time to find an elevated perspective on whatever we are stressing over.
The voice of fear is not reliable. As sure of itself as it may be, it is always short-sighted. When we look at things through the eyes of fear, we overlook our own power. We forget about the love and support that is all around us, just waiting to be recognized. We also disregard all the good that we have accomplished and our own inherent value. It is better to take time to connect with our power than to act hastily and make matters worse.
It used to be that every meeting I attended for my job in the school district was preceded by sleepless nights. The day of the meeting would be filled with thoughts that I had not done what I was supposed to do to prepare, or that I had overlooked some key information. None of these fears ever came to pass but they seemed so believable in the moment. Thankfully, over time I have improved my thinking and decreased the amount of stress I experience.
This week, during a meeting regarding a student, the old fears returned. There was an unexpected guest who started peppering me with questions about the goals I had prepared and the progress I was reporting. Suddenly it felt as though nothing I had prepared was sufficient or done correctly. Thankfully, one of my colleagues was on more sure footing and spoke up on my behalf.
I took that moment to take a deep breath and remind myself that there was nothing to fear. By taking that brief inner pause, I allowed the support I required to step forward and help me out. Soon my own confidence returned and the meeting was completed without a hitch. It felt good to realize that I had indeed done an excellent job preparing for the meeting. It also felt good to know that I can trust my team when my own vision is blurred.
Perhaps you believe you are facing a situation that is not going to end well. Before you go rushing forward and make the situation worse, pause and recognize that you deserve better. You are worthy of your own respect. When you take the time to slow down and look at the big picture, appreciating yourself for all that you are, others will respond in kind. New information and perspectives will emerge and things will naturally shift for the better. Then, rather than being a catastrophe, your situation will turn into a catalyst for you to experience more of the life you desire.
Edward Biagiotti is the Inclusion Specialist for Culver City Unified School District and the cohost of the inspirational podcast “Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed” on iTunes. For questions, comments, and ideas for future columns, send an email to EdwardBiagiotti@ccusd.org