When Life Gets Rocky
As a business executive, you’ve got a lot on your mind. You’re thinking about your most recent major job decision, tackling repercussions from working with clients, handling complex employee relations, or even managing the board of directors at your company.
You know you take on more than you should, and you feel an immense amount of regret about that decision. You're scared that if you fail then you'll let yourself and everyone down. Your workload and never-ending to-do list has left you feeling overwhelmed, to say the least, and there is no sort of release. Although you strive for achievement you may secretly fear whether more success will just overwhelm your already busy schedule. You can’t think of anyone trustworthy who you can speak to and debrief with.
You feel all too familiar emotions like anxiety (restlessness, fear, low energy, irritability, headache, nausea), depression (excessive sadness, lack of interest in previous exciting activities, guilt, worthlessness) or trauma (distressing memories, reminders of trauma event, persistent negative beliefs, anger outbursts, and hypervigilance) are creeping into your everyday life. It’s bothering you and slowing you down; if these barriers were out of your way, you know you’d be succeeding.
You’ve canceled another dinner with your friends, and your calendar is way too overbooked with various work obligations. You’re left wondering if you’ll ever get to spend time with loved ones again—or if you’ll ever have some alone time. Everyone is asking if you’re okay, and you’re not quite sure if you are.
Everyone means well, but how would they understand the weight and consequences of your job?
In my previous role as Chief Marketing Officer at a high-growth startup, I was haunted by the constant shifting of directions after stressful executive meetings. I was always worried about the success of my team, and the dreaded firings I would be responsible for if that success wasn’t achieved.
Whether it’s the inner pressures of a job or the countless restless nights, you feel as if you’re bursting from the seams, with responsibilities and actions coming at you from all angles. Something has to give, but you aren’t quite sure how to make a change.
You may have tried:
Reaching out to other executives for support
Calling your mentors for advice
Nootropics, micro-dosing, or fasting to gain clarity
Weekend binging on alcohol and smoking to push the issues away
And none of it has worked.
How would life look if you felt better?
You enter meetings with an overarching sense of calm. Your shoulders are relaxed, your hands are steady, and your mind feels at peace. Your coworkers come to you, and you are there for them, greeting them with your calm demeanor. There’s lightness to your persona as you lead your team, and it’s noticeable by all, creating a ripple effect of ease amongst your team culture.
You’re back in touch with your “why,” feeling passionate and hopeful for what can and will be accomplished.
You decide to take the quick getaway trip with your family, knowing that you will be fully present and happy. A short lively call with an old friend between meetings lifts you up and encouraging texts from your partner make you feel at ease. All of this feels worthwhile.
You realize, “I’m familiar with success. Not only can I do this, but I was meant for this.“
This is where our work comes in. In our sessions, we focus on a variety of areas to help you in your daily life, especially as an executive. This work may focus on:
Having a safe and confidential space to speak your mind
Releasing repetitive, negative thinking
Unpacking difficult and traumatic wounds
Trusting yourself and your decisions
Learning how to set boundaries
Confronting imposter syndrome
Utilizing self-care strategies to prevent burnout
Navigating relationships that shame you for not feeling accomplished enough
Dealing with feelings of isolation, powerlessness, guilt, sadness, and anxiety
Strengthening your problem-solving abilities
No matter what has happened in your life, it's not your fault. But only you can take back your power and begin the steps to change.