Keeping a Clear Head
It’s inevitable. The way things are, with the sheer number of tasks we undertake and the commitments we make to ourselves and those around us, as women leaders our brains are often filled to capacity with a myriad of details. There’s so much to keep track of! Schedules, numbers, finances, to-do-lists, to-call-lists, etc;. In speaking with a number of clients and colleagues this week, this “my brain is full” tendency appears to be almost epidemic.
From what I can see and what I’ve experienced myself, this “full-brain syndrome” isn’t a problem in and of itself. The challenge arises when our brains keep being filled without our conscious awareness, because then we can’t do anything tangible to deal with the fullness, and eventually, things start to either implode or explode, depending on the circumstances. Headaches are often a sure sign that there’s way too much going on in the brain — whether this is scientific fact or not I’m not sure; I just know that this has been my experience and what I’ve witnessed. And if not headaches, then an inability to retain information — it’s as though the brain reaches a point of capacity at which it says, “sorry, no more; everything else can just stay out.”
So, aside from taking pain relievers, staying hydrated and simply saying “no” to additional information, what can one do to keep a clear head? Well, there’s a simple law that says what goes in, must go out. It’s just the way it is. So you need to find a way to expend that which you take in. A simple way is to journal. The challenge that arises with journalling is that so often people feel compelled to “do it right”. The irony is that there is no “right” way to journal. Just pick up a pen and start writing! Your book doesn’t have to be fancy, you don’t have to worry about grammar and spelling, journaling is simply about clearing your mind, getting your thoughts out so that you can allow space for what needs to come in next. It’s a way of processing information rather than holding on to it.
Another strategy for keeping the brain clear is to talk. That’s right — let it all out verbally. You can talk to a friend, a family member or a professional such as a coach or therapist, or you can simply vent out loud to no-one in particular (doing this in public may cause others some concern, so you might want to do this in the confines of your home!). The point is to get your thoughts and ideas out. This type of releasing can provide a fresh perspective on what might otherwise seem problematic.
A final method of clearing is to focus on simply releasing energy from your whole self. Exercise of some sort — walking, running, biking, yoga, stretching, whatever — provides a physical release which, while not seeming directly related to the build up of stuff in your mind, still allows your head to clear of the stuff you don’t need to be holding. Whatever the process is, it really does clear your head.
When it comes right down to it, the best way to function and move through your day is to keep your mind clear of all distractions. In order for this to happen, you must make a habit of clearing your head regularly. Finding a strategy or combination of strategies to assist in this process is essential. So find the way that works for you. Keep a clear head, and everything flows easier. That’s the bottom-line.