What I learned from major burn out.

Almost four years ago I was bedridden for just shy of a month (and weak/unwell for sometime after it). I didn't know what was wrong with me, when or if it would stop. It was terrifying. I couldn't work, care for my daughter or really do anything except sleep and lie in bed.

So how did this come about?

Well the short version is that I burned out.

My body had had enough of working hard, pushing myself like crazy, parenting, finishing a PhD and all.the.things.

I had ignored it, almost completely and just kept going.

I was sure that there were no other options and no other way to do it.

That brings me to the first thing I learned from burning out…

Lesson 1. There is always a better option than burning out.

A million options, actually. You are just clinging so hard to what you think is true (thoughts aren’t facts!) that you might not be able to see it. I guarantee people around you are giving you some ideas though. How about you listen to them and try one?

Lesson 2. Burnout takes a long time to recover from.

Please rest well, unwind your mind and body and do what you can to prevent burnout. It takes a long time to recover from and unless you start doing things differently you will keep a cycle of overwork, stress and burnout going over and over :(

Lesson 3. Listen to your body.

Sounds cliche but it’s true. Your body knows what it needs (and what you need, because you are one in the same!). The more you ignore it the more things will go down the drain internally, even if you are killing it at work - I was, I know!

Lesson 4. Don’t believe all your thoughts.

Some of the key thoughts I believed that lead to burn out were:

‘No one else can do this but me and I can’t let everyone down’ (it turned out lots of other people did the same work outside my institution and no one was let down inside the institution).

‘Work is so competitive and there are so few jobs I have to take every opportunity and do everything I can do stay employable and employed’ (It was hyper-competitive but I could have been more strategic and stayed well, which was a better long game).

Lesson 5. Life is better if you learn the lessons of burnout.

BUT please don’t burn out. I often joke to clients that I’ve done it for them and so I can stop them going through what I did. That’s why I teach them how to work effectively and wonderfully with their own minds and bodies - to live rich, successful lives that feel great.

What about you? What will you do to prevent burnout?

Big love,
Lara xx

Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, life coach and researcher in work and wellbeing. I coach successful 30 and 40 somethings who want more fulfilling or bigger careers but doubt themselves and their options. I help them get out of their own way, find direction and go for what they really want.

Connect with me via Facebook and Instagram.

Thriving in your job while you're waiting to leave.

I have a steady stream of clients that cannot wait to leave their jobs.

They are done!

They've grown out of the job or their work culture is toxic.

They might crave a new challenge and a bigger impact.

But... they need to stay a little longer in their role.

It could be financial or simply in making a great exit plan to a job they will thrive in (often both!).

What I want for them and YOU is to have as much energy and confidence as possible for the next work adventure, so here are 4 things to do now.

1. Make a plan to get the most out of your current job. Got any current challenges? Sort them out as much as you can. Learn what you can. Achieve what you came there for (as much as is possible). Look at it as an opportunity to practice what you need to and really make it work for you.

2. Look after your health. Yes, you. Up your exercise and meditation (or start both). The aim is to leave and go into your next adventure feeling amazing, not crawling to the end.

3. Begin to let go emotionally. Okay, so maybe you let go a long time ago! ha! But if you are still very emotionally caught up in your work - feeling a lot of anger, frustration or hurt - try to start processing these feelings. Write them out, walk them out or talk them out with someone willing and able.

4. Update your CV and LinkedIn Profile. Do one version that is REALLY detailed just for you. A version where you wax lyrical about how awesome you are and all you have achieved. Ask for testimonials on LinkedIn and ensure it is reflecting where you are now professionally.

 The grass really can be greener, so make a plan and go for it!

It’s time to love your work.

xx Lara

  P.S. If you’d like to talk about your unique work situation with someone willing and able, make a time with me here.

Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, a researcher, life coach and expert in thriving at work. I support professionals to discover and live with conscious ambition through private coaching, group workshops and gorgeous retreats. 

I'd love to keep in touch - let's connect on my Facebook and Instagram pages.

4 ways to make work more peaceful.

It's no joke that work is getting more intense these days (there's research to prove it), so given what's happening in our workplaces, what can we do to protect our wellbeing, to find peace in our hectic work days?

This post is about dispelling the major myth around feeling peaceful at work AND giving you a range of ways to find peace in your day. I encourage you to pick the ones that feel good to you and give them a whirl.

FIRSTLY, THE NUMBER ONE WORK-WELLBEING MYTH.

​​​​​​​The thought that might be stopping you from finding ways to feel more peaceful at work is that your work situation is different.

"I can't feel peaceful at work for x, y and z reasons". 

e.g. 'My work is so stressful', 'My work is so high pressure', 'I'm the head of my organisation', 'I am the only one', 'I am doing the work of several people', 'I need to feel stressed to perform'...

If you have bought into this myth it's time to start questioning its truth and if it is useful to you...

Because no matter what your job or circumstance, you can feel more peaceful at work.
​​​​​​​
Working on making work more peaceful is critical not only to your work but to your HEALTH and the quality of your relationships and your life.

TIP #1 WATCH YOUR THOUGHTS AND COURSE CORRECT.

One of the best things you can do to feel more peaceful at work is to stop telling yourself - and believing - that you don't have enough time, that you can't cope, that you aren't good enough or that 'this is a disaster'.

These thoughts, when believed, will set off your stress hormones and put you into survival brain. If you want to be wired and think like a lizard, go ahead. If you'd rather have the use of the most critical parts of your brain and get your work done, problem solve and triumph, reign that shit in!

Soothing words like: "[Insert your name], everything will get done, take a minute of deep breaths, do the next task necessary, it's all good" will make a world of difference. 
​​​​​​​
TIP #2  LOOK AFTER YOUR PRECIOUS SELF!

Don't roll your eyes or say "I know, I know" and then not act on this information. Everything in life is harder and more stressful when you are hungry, tired and haven't moved your body all day.

Eat something that sustains you, go to bed a smidgen earlier, walk or stand whenever possible (standing desks and walking meetings rock).

Look after yourself! Feel the benefits immediately.

More focus, more calm, more energy, more joy.
​​​

TIP #3   SET BOUNDARIES - PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND ENERGETIC

We know that boundaries are best when they are fluid and flexible, so you can let in what serves you and keep out what harms or depletes you.

So, three boundary types that will increase your peace a lot are:

Physical boundaries: 

Give yourself permission to end conversations, move away from people, get out of the office for a walk or step wayyy back from the space invader.

Psychological boundaries:

My favourite question - I think it's Byron Katie that asks "Whose business is it?" More importantly, is this YOUR business?

Set clear boundaries around what is your business and what is not your business.

Keep in your own head. You do not know what others are thinking. It is irrelevant at this point to imagine. Ask if need be but don't believe you're telepathic!

Energetic boundaries:

We all know that feeling of someone coming into work with difficult emotional energy. For people that are sensitive to it (like moi) it can be really distracting, off-putting and feel like it clings to you or the air. 

I like to use a simple visualisation of a barrier of white light going between me and the person or situation you would like to disconnect from. 

Another really effective process is to imagine that the unwanted energy is transformed into peaceful energy. 
​​​​​​​
These exercises encourage you to focus on something other than the person and let your body relax in the process. 

TIP #4 BREATHE AND MEDITATE

You knew this was coming! Take one or two minutes and slow your breathing. It will change your life.

Finding peace in the busyness of life is absolutely essential and you can do it. Which tip are you going to try out?

Schedule it into your day and work it!

Much love,
Lara xx

Finish your work on a high for 2018!

End the working year on a high! It will set you up for an amazing holiday and connected time with people, surrounds, fur babies and things that you love!

1. Pick something that would be satisfying and important to complete.

Work on it a bit (or a lot, depending on your schedule) everyday - planning for it to be complete before you finish for break.

2. Eat regularly and eat away from your desk/workspace each day and give your mind, body and soul a daily treat!

3. Encourage yourself each day. Be your own best cheerleader to finishing things off, for persisting and for done is better than perfect.

It's time to love your work!

Big love,
Lara xx 

P.S. You might have already heard how AMAZING Smash It! was - the only online course to transform your work life in just a few months. It's opening next year. If you'd like to be on the 'first to hear' list and get early bird specials - get notified here.

Stop feeling like a fraud at work - Grab your free guide here.

Meet your potential at work in three steps

You want to make the most of your potential - I'm guessing this shows up especially at work. 

To meet your potential, you need three things that are within your control. 

1. To dance with fear on a daily basis moving in a direction that suits you.

2. To have the skills and tools to dance with fear.

3. To have the support and training to learn the skills and put them into place. 

So decide that you are up for listening to but not being ruled by your fears. Seek out those skills and practice them. Get support and the training you need to master your mind and to know the direction(s) in which your potential and joy lies.

It's time to love your work!

Big love,
Lara xx 

P.S. If you'd like help to love your work, click here to grab your free session with me and start to turn your work-life around.

Stop feeling like a fraud at work - Grab your free guide here.

How to tell if your workplace is out of whack.

Is your workplace out of whack?

It's easy to tell. 

First, look around and notice the ratio of women and men. 

Are there any people that are non-binary or trans?

How many people are gay, lesbian or bisexual?

How many people represent a wide variety of skin colours and cultural backgrounds?

How many are Indigenous?

Any people living with disabilities?

How many are young, how many are middle aged, how many are older?

If you don't have a diverse workplace, your workplace is out of whack.

Beige workforces have been the norm, but this is fast changing with huge benefits for individuals and organisations. But it doesn't happen without ongoing effort. 

Start with you and your unconscious bias (we all have it in buckets and spades). If you're interested in unpacking your privilege this November, check out the work of Sharon Holmes - a biracial Australian anti-racism mentor and teacher. It's time!

It's time to love your work!

Big love,
Lara xx 

P.S. If you'd like help to love your work, click here to grab your free session with me and start to turn your work-life around.

Stop feeling like a fraud at work - Grab your free guide here.

Dreaming about having a different job?

Did you know that 64% of workers daydream "every second of every day" about having a different job (Monster: USA, 2018).

Wow. That is a looooot of people.

Is this your secret daydream too?

If so, it’s time to book a free session with me to turn your work-life around!  Click here.

It's time to love your work!

Big love,
Lara xx 

Stop feeling like a fraud at work - Grab your free guide here.

3 ways to cope with backlash from shining.

A big reason why some women don't want to shine at work and beyond is fear of being disliked.

There's this notion that women with power, shining talents and confidence are wrong, nasty and somehow dangerous. 

It's true, of course, that women with power are dangerous to the status quo as they often act differently to men ... and doesn't the world need that?

Yes. Big time. 

BUT you might fear being seen as a bitch, as thinking you are 'too good' for someone, as being as incredible as each of you are.

When women see their potential in it's glory it is terrifying and spectacular. 

So rather than retreat in fear, step into it. 

1. Keep in your lane.

2. Stay true to yourself.

3. Soothe the fear that bubbles up and speak truth to it. 

Shine, shine, shine!

Stop feeling like a fraud at work - Grab your free guide here.

It's time to love your work!

Big love,
Lara xx 

P.S.  Let's work together to help you shine! Book here to talk with me. 
 

You can’t afford to ignore this at work.

You’re smart. You know how to get things done under even the most trying of circumstances. You know how to keep most people happy and deliver a good result.

There’s one thing you might be ignoring though.

It’s the difference between getting through the day and thriving.
It’s the difference between burnout and excelling at a deep level.

It’s attending to YOUR needs.

That’s right, everything from going to the toilet when you need to (I’m talking to you!) to eating regularly and having an inner dialogue that is built on self-compassion and care.

If you ignore you it is likely to catch up with you in a pretty spectacular way.

• Through physical or mental health problems.

• Through disconnection from yourself.

• Through some other way your body expresses being ignored.

Today and every day, I invite you to take time to listen AND respond to your needs.

Big love,
Lara xx
 
P.S. Building a supportive inner dialogue is one of the most powerful things you can do to excel at work, reduce your stress and increase your confidence. It’s what can help you fall in love with work and skip out the door each day. It’s part of what you can master working with me. Let’s talk about what you need here – 30 minutes, no coaching ‘pitch’, just you and me, getting you going in the best direction for you. Make an appointment here.
 

100,000 hours of work...

You will spend about 100,000 hours of your life working*. 

100,000 hours. 

Would you rather those hours be energising, engaging and fulfilling or that you spend your life wishing them away til 5.30pm or Friday night?

Let's make them count!

It's time to love your work.

xx Lara

P.S. Join Smash It! today - a new three month payment plan is available. Check it out and enrol here and join the brilliant women that have already signed up! **BONUS for enrolments this week is a Five Minute Journal - you will be obsessed with how this improves your life and focus!***

Big love,

Lara xx
 
*Cassells R (2017), ‘happy workers: How satisfied are Australians at work?’ Curtin Business School, Curtin University.