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I consider many of the women I know to be executives regardless of their official job title.
Hear me out.
An executive is a person who plans, organizes, and manages complex tasks and people. If you are a woman, my bet is that you fit this description in one way or another. Of course, there are always exceptions.
Most of the women I know are in the business of managing and directing, living in a constant state of hustle. This may include managing our lives, jobs, or education. The role can often encompass the lives of our family, friends, and coworkers. And it may include a million tasks on any given day – not to mention our feelings about it all.
Needless to say, it can get overwhelming. It can be isolating and depressing.
It can leave you in a state of hopelessness that things will never change. Some with a more optimistic nature may feel stuck in a holding pattern of hopefulness that things will change “someday”.
If you’re reading this, I want you to know that things can change for you today – at least a little.
In my experience as a clinical psychologist working with women juggling numerous demanding roles, I often find that people have more power to create forward momentum toward change than they realize.
Many of us find it easy to fiercely believe in endless possibilities for those we love while tragically underestimating our own potential. We may be held back by a sense of fear, discomfort with assertive communication, guilt, limited time, or limited resources.
If you can relate to this and feel like you have been managing everything for everyone pretty well except yourself, I invite you to take a small step toward change right now that will take less time than you might expect.
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Close your eyes. Take 3 slow breaths.
Then ask yourself, “What do I want?”
Sit with your answer for a few moments then write it down.
Then read it aloud to yourself followed by the words, “And so it is.”
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I want to congratulate you for making time to acknowledge yourself and your needs today.
You may notice your thoughts drifting to phrases like “That’s just not possible” or “That’s not in the cards for me right now because of xyz.” If that’s you, just notice your inner dialogue pushing back. No need to fight yourself fighting yourself. We’re just acknowledging the push back. This will raise our awareness of when we are pushing back on ourself or becoming our own barrier in the future.
This exercise may feel strange or even selfish to some who have been locked in extreme focus on others. But if you continue down this path of meeting quietly with yourself, you will find treasure in the form of inner wisdom and increased peace for yourself and everyone you care about.
Love and light,
Dr. Valerie Johnson