Feeling Like You’ve Lost A Bit of Who You Are?

Jan 06, 2021

Your days might be filled with back-to-back meetings, a mile-long to-do list and trying to lead your team through a challenging time, pushing long hours and feeling like you’re on a path to burning out.

You might be struggling to juggle all the different roles in your life – parent, spouse, leader, friend and more – and how to be there for others when you’re feeling tired and overwhelmed inside.

You want to slow down, feel more joy each day and be more present in your life. But you’re just not sure how to make that happen with everything going on and everyone else’s expectations.

And, deep down, you feel like you’ve lost a bit of who you are. I know, I've been there.

People often say they leave a job or make a big change in their life because the pace was too much or their manager was impossible to work with or they didn’t feel valued – all external circumstances.

For me, it was when I looked in the mirror and didn't recognize myself anymore.

When you feel like you are compromising your values and conforming to what everyone else thinks you should do, and you forget who you are inside.

When you complain and lose your patience with others (often) even though you don't mean to . . . or when you are simply tired and forget to smile and enjoy the small moments in life.

Early on in my corporate career, I worked with a Director who rarely smiled at people walking down the hallway - someone told me he used to be a happy-go-lucky type but had been worn down over time.

My cheery, upbeat, energetic go-getter self said that would NEVER be me!

At the very end of my corporate career, the biggest feedback I was getting day after day was to . . . smile.

I could say "I didn't like this" or "I didn't like that", but what it really came down to was that I lost a bit of who I was (and that was all on me).

It took some time with me getting clear on what I value and who I am, not taking life so seriously and finding the joy each day even when things feel hard .

Now, EVERY DAY I check-in with myself to see if I am showing up as who I want to be . . . as a leader, as a parent, as a person . . . and it helps me to stay on course and notice quickly when I'm not.

So, my question for you: Who do you want to be? How do you want to feel? What can you do today to embody that version of you?

This isn’t about being someone you are not . . . it’s about getting closer to the person who you really are.

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." – Steve Jobs


What Next?

Wherever you are on your journey, I'm here to support you in the way that works best for you!

Discover how great leaders who have it all - great life balance AND high performance - operate behind the scenes.  Click here to access this Free Training.

When you're ready for the next step to work together to create balance in your life without sacrificing performance, book a complimentary call and we can see if "The Balanced Leader" coaching program is the right fit for YOU. I also offer speaking presentations, workshops and programs tailored to support you and your team. Book a complimentary call or contact me here.

You can also follow me on your favorite social media platform LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for more ideas, inspiration, and real-life lessons and moments. I hang out mostly on LinkedIn! 

 

Stacey L. Olson is a Certified Positive Psychology Coach and has 15 years of corporate experience. She works with leaders and professionals who want to create more balance, stress less, AND still perform at a high level. Stacey is the founder of the 'The Balanced Leader' coaching program and offers executive and leadership coaching, workshops, and speaking.

 

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