Getting over overwhelm
Business coach, speaker, connector and collaborator, Emily Gallagher, is founder of Conscious Boss and creator of Conscious Boss Clique, a growing network of over 1,200 wellness entrepreneurs. She chats with Mind Bright about stopping overwhelm and taking back control so you can achieve your life, busienss and wellness goals, all whilst having fun.
What’s top of your gratitude list this week?
The ability to work from anywhere in the world (currently in LA and am obsessed with the level of amazing people here!)
Health… I had a bit of a slump for a few weeks and it makes me realise how important it is to nurture and nourish our energy when it's there (and respect ourselves when it is not)
The people that are currently in my life, that not too long ago I would've only been able to dream of
Were all so busy, digitally connected and bombarded with information and choice these days, that most of us aren't strangers to overwhelm. What would be your advice on what to prioritise for someone who is feeling overwhelmed?
For me, when I feel overwhelmed, I like to actually write down ‘all’ the things that are in my head. Often times, when we are overwhelmed, it can feel like there are 100 things happening that we need to think about, solve, create etc…. when in reality, it is usually only one or to major things that matter to us. If we can identify what's actually important then create some actions for them, it instantly alleviates a lot of the stress of overwhelm (as humans, we don't need to actually have the result.. we just need to feel we are making progress, to feel better !)
You work with a lot of inspiring and driven entrepreneurs who have big ideas and dreams, if they feel overwhelmed, how do you guide them?
There is a common saying that I am really ALL about right now.. ‘What got you here, won't get you there’ … so it will take a new version of ourselves to help take us where we are looking to go next. When starting out, we need to say yes to more things, because we are trialing the market, finding out what we’re good at, growing our network etc… but then, at a certain point, we need to be more discerning and put boundaries on what we say yes to, how we balance our life and which opportunities to take/ create etc.
SO I would say for everyone, the lesson here is discernment over what it's actually going to take you where you want to go, to help you decide what to say yes to.
At the heart of it, what do you think leads people to feel overwhelmed? As a society. ( and especially as women) we are naturally people pleasers, which means we often say yes to things we aren't truly in alignment with. This leads us to a plate full of things we don't feel excited about… or maybe even sometimes we do feel excited about them all… but like Oprah says, “You can have it all, just not all at the same time” … so I think really being conscious about what stage you’re in (in your life & business), how much you can really fit in and what it is going to take from you in reality, to say yes to things
Do you have any routines or rituals that help you eliminate stress and overwhelm with your busy life?
I work out 5-7 times a week. Even if it is just a walk (which these days it often is ! haha). Nature is super important to me - which I am realising even more now being in LA… craving being by some NZ countryside!
Also, eating well, getting good rest and I meditate sporadically, but am realising it is more and more important for me now. I am also getting much better at listening to my body when it needs rest instead of pushing through and trying to be productive… this has been a huge shift for me!
What’s the best piece advice you've ever been given for looking after your wellbeing?
REST! Ha sounds so silly, but many of us (myself included) are too scared to stop… so honouring myself and actually allowing rest into my life has been huge. Which is harder than it may sound! Plus I always come back more productive if I actually take the rest instead of pushing through it.
We are advocates of play and having fun to reduce stress and anxiety. What play do you inject into your life?
I LOVE to dance. Just in my room to loud music... It is the quickest way for me to get into gratitude and power and excitement! And I travel a lot, so I am always in fun new environments which allows me opportunities to break the routine and be playful.
What’s one area you currently working on improving in your life?
Adding more of a playful and frivolous energy to my life. I am so committed and passionate about my work, that sometimes I can get a bit stressed about it because I want to create so much. So more play and lightness is my focus.
If you could recommend just one habit or ritual to someone starting out on their health and wellbeing journey, what would it be?
Find something that works for YOU… everyone’s mind, bodies and souls crave something so different, so I would say listen less to the ‘rules’ and find your flow in what makes YOU feel good.. And just keep it simple :)
Plus I would say… that wellbeing in all areas of our lives... especially mental, emotional, spiritual and physical… really impacts all other areas, so it is key to make it a priority.
Describe your perfect dream day, if there were no limitations……
My life right now feels pretty dreamy I won't lie! But I would say... a sleep in (gone are the days of my 5:30 am wake ups!)...
I would be up at 7:30 am, to the sound of waves or birds because I am immersed in nature somewhere!
I would have a personal training session at my house, followed by a guided meditation & grounding session for the day…(#nolimits)
A private chef would then have prepared a delicious breakfast… of course, I would have my glorious handsome and conscious man with me ;)
Then the day would be perhaps a hike, or a beach day, seeing some friends, relaxing. I live a pretty fast-paced life, so I am a massive fan of chilling out these days. Reading a book by a pool… by the ocean.
An afternoon of massage & facials & pampering followed by delicious healthy food with some friends and probably an early night.
Wow how the times change ;)
Any parting advice for how to welcome in healthy, happy, mindful living?
Find what works for you. Care less about what other people think, and spend more time thinking about (and acting on) what really lights YOU up…and make sure you're surrounded by people living in alignment with that, and who inspire, and motivate you.. then everything flows from there.
Conscious Boss is currently offering a Step up to 6 figures programme and read how Emily took her business from $20K a year to $20K a month, all whilst having fun! Includes a free Conscious Boss Workbook on how you can too www.consciousboss.com/20k.