1. Stay connected. Anyway that suits you but being in touch with colleagues and seeing them face to face is important
2. Build a routine. Walk, cycle, or run a loop from home and back, make it every morning or every evening if possible. It does not have to be far it’s the routine that counts. It will set you up for the day and allow your thoughts to roam giving space for your thoughts to settle and ideas to flourish.
3. Listen and be interested in others. Try not to fall into the trap of thinking that monopolising the conversation, getting most ‘air time’ equates to being professional and knowledgeable. Practice just slowing down and waiting for a second or two before talking, sometimes we need a second or two just to formulate our replies.
4. If you’ve had a bad day, don’t let it linger get out and change your environment for so you can be alone for 15 minutes. Then take three deep breaths, count into 3 and out to 3, don’t worry if it starts with 2, try and reach for 3 and then 4. Notice where your toes are, what can you feel under your feet and slowly work up your body. This body scan puts your attention on each part moving up towards the top of your head.
5. When things don’t go to plan if you’ve had a rough day try writing it all down don’t worry about grammar or spelling use this as a brain dump. Get it all down on paper add drawings too. Now you can either screw it up and bin it or burn it, whichever works for you. Go easy on yourself.
6. Keep a journal or notebook to record what has gone well in the day - no matter how small. There will be something, for example getting up and getting dressed is a good start. It takes time to nurture a new habit and this helps us notice the good and it redresses the critical thinking ruts we can fall into.
7. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed trying to support colleagues or you’re nervous about being out of your depth, remember you are not there to rescue or solve all their problems. Listening and acknowledging what is being said is powerful. It enables people to think for themselves instead of trying to be heard, trying to compete or always trying to be right. Take the pressure off yourself to be all things.
