3 Keys to Coping When Your World Gets Rocked - Part 2

The stock market creates a frenzy daily. Your neighbor just lost her job. Mama’s gravely ill. Your world’s rocked. Another storm just hit. Just when you wonder what else can happen, dag gone it does.

A saying is "God never gives you more than you can handle." Another one is "what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger." You’ve had enough. “God, quit this. Send help. “ you scream.

One day was especially hard during my divorce. Pain, the emotional kind, racked my entire being. Crying on the phone to friend Faith I shouted through tears “I don’t want to be stronger. I'm stong enough. I want it to end.”

Faith was a huge support during that time. Support, knowing about your finances and staying optimistic are 3 keys previously discussed. Three more keys to coping when your world gets rocked can make a difference to you and everyone around you.

The most important key is taking care of yourself. Sound radical? Women are wizards at putting everyone else first. When your world gets rocked, make taking care of yourself the center of your Universe. ‘Yea, yea, that’s easy for you to say’ you’re thinking.

I know from experience that no one will take better care of you than you can. You just need to develop that muscle, create that habit. There’s a big difference between self care and being selfish – a topic for another time. Eating well, resting when you’re tired and exercising your body with more than going to the car, running errands and walking around the house are good beginnings.

Controlling what comes into your environment is another key. Environment is defined as anywhere you are – the office, home, yard, grocery store. Where you have control is what comes into your home and car. News comes via television, radio, computer, magazines, newspapers, blackberrys. Any item that has a power button can be turned off. Keeping the bad news out, or at a minimum, keeps your energy up and your health better. If something happens that you really need to know, you’ll find out. Now’s the time to play those CDs that you haven’t heard in a long time. Last week really was National Turn Off The TV Week, no kidding.

Related to that is how much you talk about good news and positive things. How much do you talk about bad news? This morning a friend told a sad story about a young family racked with illness and bad times. I felt myself getting anxious for it to end. I didn’t want that conversation zapping my energy. Pay attention and monitor how you feel as you’re talking. You can control your part of the conversation.

They’re choices you make. Just as you choose what you’re wearing or having for lunch, you choose what you do, with whom, how and when. For a moment reflect on your day and the choices you’ve made already. Are they getting you what you want? Do they empower you? Or do they hold you back, waste time and money? How have you used your power? Then decide what you want to have happen. Make choices that make it happen. Choose a positive attitude. Choose success. You’re on the road to big things.

Nature has a daily routine with the sun setting the pace for the day to begin when it rises and to wind down when it sets. Daily activities are planned around that. You have a routine of some kind. When I was out of work, I had no routine. No work meant no reason to get up. I was lost. My stomach wanting food was the only regulator I had. Lack of routine was messing me up. I decided I needed a routine because I really missed it. What a difference it made. I was in sync with the world again. A routine can make the same difference for you. Getting up at the same time every day can change your life.

Creating and following a routine, making good choices and taking care of yourself are three more ways to cope during hard times. Your family and friends are supporting you. You can make smart choices that give you power. You feel good about yourself.

Staying positive is easier when you have control over yourself and what you do. Positive people attract the best people and opportunities. Like Rick Warren says in the Purpose Driven Life “Between now and this time tomorrow, you’ll give your life to something.” What will you give your life to?

COACHES CHALLENGE: Do something nice for yourself each and every day.

© Copyright 2009 by Smokie Sizemore, CPCC. You may include this article in your e-zine , website or distribute it to others provided you include the copyright statement and bio information tag found at the end of this article. Smokie Sizemore, CPCC, speaker and founder of the Smart Woman’s Club, is an expert on the authentic woman. She coaches professional women to thrive in their careers, and have the life they want. For more information visit www.smartwomansclub.com.