Monday Mojo – Wave Your Flag

How are you at singing your own praises?

I’ll start. My new book, Answers in the Dark made it to #1 in the Hot New Releases, and it reached #3 as a Best Seller in one of its categories, on publication day (27/5/22). But, let me be clear, my confidence hasn’t always been that way.

I distinctly remember some time ago, for example, being asked what I do well (eg., at interview), and would play it down for fear of looking arrogant. Can you relate?

For many of us, it can feel “wrong” to point people towards what we are good at; to say “look at me” when we want to be recognised for our accomplishments.  It’s also fair to say we are probably so focused on making sure everyone else gets ahead, that the very idea of putting our hat in the ring feels alien to us.

Here’s what might help:

This week, maybe set the intention to Wave Your Flag. Ok, Jubilee Fever might be setting in a little this end (the bunting is already up), but stick with me. This concept is about not being afraid to claim your territory for what you do well. This article offers some tips including how to dress to express.

The next time you find yourself in a meeting, round the dinner table with friends, or networking in some way, where you have an opportunity to showcase your strengths, just take a deep breath and go for it; fake it until you make it. If it feels uncomfortable, that’s ok; stretching your comfort zone is going to make you feel a bit wibbly for a while. But as Pamela Druckerman once said “Everyone is winging it, some just do it more confidently”.

And if someone pays you a compliment and says “you look lovely in that top” instead of saying “oh this old thing?”, get used to saying “thank you, that’s kind of you to say”. Because you’re allowed to accept the nice things, and as often as you can.

For an expanded version of Monday Mojo™ straight to your inbox, which includes access to free resources, click here. Any third party links offered are not endorsed. © Delphi Ellis 2022

The Business End: I am delighted to provide this complimentary weekly blog. If you like Monday Mojo™ and want to say “thanks”, you can “Buy Me a Coffee” via my Tip Jar here. No pressure though, it will stay free of charge as long as possible.

Monday Mojo – Check Your Spoons

Have you heard of Spoon Theory?

It’s a concept originally discussed by Christine Miserandino in 2003, that helps us measure our energy levels. Christine used it as a way of describing to a friend how she navigates the condition Lupus, and used the spoons as props to demonstrate. She explained that we might start the day with ten spoons, but on difficult days just getting out of bed and taking a shower might use several. (You can read more about this here).

Feeling drained or lacking energy is just one of the signs that our Mojo is starting to dwindle, so knowing how to boost our energy levels can be a helpful way to refresh and recharge.

Here’s what might help:

This week, maybe set the intention to Check Your Spoons. You might start with a self-care check in each day, asking yourself questions like “Can I say no today, and can I do that kindly?”. Being irritable or edgy is another early warning sign we might notice when we’re lacking a bit of sparkle.

This article also suggests switching things up a bit. It’s natural when things aren’t going our way to retreat to the comfort of our own home, and sometimes this can be just what we need. However we know there are several benefits of spending time in nature; the Japanese tradition of Shinrin Yoku has been researched to prove that time with trees can have a profound impact.

It’s important also to honour our emotions; all feelings are valid. Whether you’re feeling sad or happy, giving space to how we feel is important – because whether we label them or not, those feelings are there anyway. Above all, give yourself permission to rest when you need, cry if it helps and talk with those you trust.

For an expanded version of Monday Mojo™ straight to your inbox, which includes access to free resources, click here. Any third party links offered are not endorsed. © Delphi Ellis 2022

The Business End: I am delighted to provide this complimentary weekly blog. If you like Monday Mojo™ and want to say “thanks”, you can “Buy Me a Coffee” via my Tip Jar here. No pressure though, it will stay free of charge as long as possible.

Monday Mojo – Unlock Your Dreams

Do you believe in yourself?

It’s such a tough question, right? Because what does that even mean. One of the things about goals is, you have to want them as much as you have the skills to achieve them.

This week, maybe set the intention to Unlock Your Dreams.  It makes sense that, to find your way, you need to know what your hopes are, and one way to do this is just by asking yourself “If I keep doing what I’m doing now where will I be in a year or five year’s time?” You can change direction accordingly depending on whether your current situation takes you towards or away from that. 

This article also explains that sometimes our inner critic holds us back, or that maybe we keep ourselves busy so that we don’t have to think about where we are. It’s ok to distract ourselves from time to time, especially if those distractions actually play to your skills and strengths. Think about what serves you well, and what doesn’t.

For an expanded version of Monday Mojo™ straight to your inbox, which includes access to free resources, click here. Any third party links offered are not endorsed. © Delphi Ellis 2022

The Business End: I am delighted to provide this complimentary weekly blog. If you like Monday Mojo™ and want to say “thanks”, you can “Buy Me a Coffee” via my Tip Jar here. No pressure though, it will stay free of charge as long as possible.

Monday Mojo – Find Your Vibe

How “in tune” do you feel with the world around you right now?

In my book, Answers in the Dark, I talk about our cycles, and in particular how they show up. We have a 24 hour cycle (day follows night), some of us have a 28 day (ish) cycle, and of course the elusive sleep cycle. And when life is really busy, those cycles can feel disrupted.

We might not always notice it straightaway. We plough on as if everything is “normal” and wake up one day and feel like stuff’s just, well, off centre. You feel like you’re doing All The Things, but nothing’s getting done.

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (9th to 15th May) is loneliness and I emphasise that this isn’t just about the number of friends you have or the amount of time spent alone – but it’s also about disconnection. Our “social norms” can often set standards that we should “fit in” and not be different. We hide our authenticity or shift our values in a need to be belong. That can be lonely.

The opposite to loneliness can include feeling heard. Being understood. Connected.

Here’s what might help:

This week, maybe set the intention to Find Your Vibe. This article offers insight on how to check your emotional state: something as simple as asking yourself “how am I feeling?” Alternatively, you could grab your favourite notebook (or treat yourself to a new one) and take some time to reflect on these questions:
• What brings you alive, and puts a bit of sparkle in your step?
• Which people light you up? (including celebs)
• What conversations inspire you?
Include in your reflections music that brings your mojo back, poetry that gives you goose bumps, or pieces of art that make you look at the world in all its wonder. It’s there waiting to be enjoyed.

For an expanded version of Monday Mojo™ straight to your inbox, which includes access to free resources, click here. Any third party links offered are not endorsed. © Delphi Ellis 2022

The Business End: I am delighted to provide this complimentary weekly blog. If you like Monday Mojo™ and want to say “thanks”, you can “Buy Me a Coffee” via my Tip Jar here. No pressure though, it will stay free of charge as long as possible.

Monday Mojo – Pause the Talk

What’s the first thing you thought about this morning?

If it was wondering what sort of dramas may unfold today (perhaps especially true on a Monday), there’s a good reason for that.

As humans we are wired with something called the ‘negativity bias’. This is actually a healthy thing; for example, if you accidentally burnt yourself getting dinner out of the oven that one time, your brain created a red flag that says “don’t do that again, it hurts”. That means the next time we go to grab something tasty from the stove, the red flag reminds us to be more careful – and it goes without incident.

The problem is, the red flags pop up to remind us of all kinds of pain we’ve experienced. As a result, we can have any number of thoughts that talk us in to – and out of – various scenarios. This can then lead to anxiety and before we know it we’re not enjoying time around places and people we love.

Here’s what might help:
This week, maybe set the intention to Pause the Talk. My blog explores, one place to start is with our internal narrative and to discern which thoughts need attention and which we can ditch. It might sound easier said than done (these things usually take time) but it can be helpful now and then to remind ourselves that we don’t always have to buy what the mind is selling.

You might also choose to focus on something that really matters to you – write down why setting this goal is important and why you’re prepared to withstand the anxiety for the sake of helping you achieve it. (You could maybe do this with the help of a friend or counsellor).

Above all, remember thoughts can feel real that doesn’t always mean they’re true. You really don’t have to believe everything you think.

For an expanded version of Monday Mojo™ straight to your inbox, which includes access to free resources, click here. Any third party links offered are not endorsed. © Delphi Ellis 2022

The Business End: I am delighted to provide this complimentary weekly blog. If you like Monday Mojo™ and want to say “thanks”, you can “Buy Me a Coffee” via my Tip Jar here. No pressure though, it will stay free of charge as long as possible.

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