My last post on stress got me thinking about the things that cause stress in our lives.  I think one of the big contributors is guilt.  I certainly have a lot of experience with this destructive emotion!

 

I spent a fair bit of the last five years struggling to keep up, trying to get absolutely everything done and not allowing myself to relax until all was perfect.  I wouldn’t even make a cup of tea unless I could sit down in a tidy house with everything done.  Consequently I spent most of my time racing past a solitary tea bag that never did realize its potential to become that oh so soothing drink… 

 

If I did allow myself to sit down I felt guilty and jumpy that I wasn’t working on my laptop, practising colours with the kids or washing the endless pile of dirty clothes!  If I spent time ironing I felt guilty that I wasn’t working or spending quality time with the kids.  If I sat down and played tea parties with the kids I felt that I was ignoring the housework. If I have learned anything by wearing a myriad of hats it is to not beat yourself up for hanging some of them on a hook for a while!  I am convinced that your body physically reacts to guilt and this reaction can affect your brain and your ability to think clearly.  So, in order to get the attention of all you career women out there who think you haven’t got time to stop and think about this, feeling guilty is not only bad for your health – it is detrimental to your output!

 

Realise that you are human and that it is OK to make a mistake.  We are not superheros and can only do what we can do.  For the things we can’t do there are a myriad of other people who have made a business out of doing those things we don’t want to do. 

 

I’ve decided to practice letting go of guilty feelings.  I do one thing a day that is just for me where I make an agreement with myself that I will not feel guilty for doing it.  It has absolutely blown me away how productive and creative my mind is in those times where I am completely free of guilt.  Even that elusive cup of tea has proven to be the most energising 15 minutes of the day!

 

At Network Central we run the monthly Businesswomen’s Breakfast Series and in Sydney this month we hear from Katharine McLennan who will be discussing the neuroscience of leadership.  In Melbourne, Sarah Cornally discusses how to have courageous conversations and in Parramatta Julia Palmer will address high end networking.  Come along and have that cup of tea with us!