A psychology professor was teaching stress management principles to a lecture hall filled with students.
As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the typical ‘glass half empty or glass half full’ type of question.
Instead, the professor asked, “How heavy is this glass of water that I’m holding?”
Students shouted out answers ranging from “nothing at all” to “quite heavy”.
She replied, “From my perspective, the absolute weight of this glass doesn’t matter. It all depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute or two, it’s fairly light. If I hold it for an hour straight, its weight might make my arm ache a little. If I hold it for a day straight, my arm will likely cramp up and feel completely numb and paralysed, forcing me to drop the glass to the floor. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it feels to me.”
As the students nodded their heads in agreement, she continued, “Your stresses and worries in life are very much like this glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and you begin to ache a little. Think about them all day long, and you will feel completely numb and paralysed – incapable of doing anything else until you drop them.”
So how heavy is your glass of water? Remember, you can put the glass down!
It’s important to let go of your stresses whenever possible. As early as you can after work, put all your burdens down. Hang them up on your ‘worry tree’ before you enter your home to be with your family. Pick them up again in the morning when you go back to work. They will still be there waiting for you on the tree. I guarantee it.
This can be easier said than done. But it is possible if you’re mindful about it. Go on, give it go. And let me know how you get on?
To your success…
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I’m passionate about inspiring people to tap into their unique talents and strengths – to be the best they can be – to fulfill the potential they always knew they had. It’s not about ‘fixing’ you. Rather, it’s about helping you access the best part of yourself so you’re able to make the changes, release the dragons and powerfully step into your brilliance.
If you are interested in performance coaching, try my free 20-minute introductory session. Just contact me and I’ll arrange a time and date for us to chat by phone or face-to-face.
Get in touch TODAY by email or call my office on +44 (0)20 8798 3433.
Mark Russell Inspired Performance Coaching – Dedicated to Your Success.
