How to: un-slump

Slumps happen to the best of us.

Maybe you’re exhausted from work.  Or your baby hasn’t slept for the last 6 months [read: forever]. Or you’ve had a cold for a million years. Or they broke your heart.  Or you’re in the depths of morning [it’s ALL DAY!] sickness. Or you just don’t feel right and you don’t know why but nothing seems to be helping. 

Slumps don’t last forever and it can be tempting to just ride them out. But sometimes just sitting there, passively waiting, can make you feel worse. It can be much more effective to do.

The trick here though, is to aim small.

um, what? [I hear you say.] Aren’t you a life coach? Aren’t you meant to encourage wild, bold, life-enhancing change?

Yes, definitely! But not now. Now is not the time. Aiming big, when your internal resources are depleted will probably see you fail. And that will make you feel worse, which will just compound the original horrible slumpiness.

So, lovely people. If you’re in a slump and you’re keen to un-slump [so you can go and achieve all that big-dream stuff], here’s what to do:

+ Focus on one single thing to achieve this week. Of course, you have to do all your regular stuff like go to your paid work and look after the kids and buy groceries. But I’m talking extra stuff, the stuff we tend to put pressure on ourselves to achieve. This week, put everything aside except for one, single, achievable task that actually interests you. [No shoulds allowed.]

+ Ask one person for one single thing that will give you a lift. Maybe it’s your dad’s fruit salad. Or your best friend to come by and hold your baby while you go to yoga. Or your sister to come for a walk with you around the lake. Think about what will deliver you the biggest bang for your favour-asking buck. Then go for it.

+ Choose one small thing to look forward to this week. Maybe it’s an acupuncture appointment. Or a cafe stop before work. Or a Saturday night in. Or a new book and an hour on your own to enjoy it. Choose your thing then build towards it. Really look forward to that moment.

Slumps are uncomfortable but small-scale, focused effort can get you un-slumped, in not too long at all.

Tags: life-coaching, Melbourne