It’s My Birthday and I’ve Got a Gift for You (Hint: Don’t Stress)

Issue 197 — April 18, 2022

I got so many flowers on my big 8–0 April 13 that I jokingly asked whether I had died. I’m incredibly fortunate to be alive and high kicking as I veer into Betty White territory. I’m looking forward to people thinking everything I do that makes any sense at all is adorable. You know, like they do with preschoolers who use three-syllable words.

So since I’ve been fortunate to be given these years of life and experience, including some pretty high stress roles, it’s only fair that I share secrets I’ve learned for not just surviving but thriving in spite of it — and indeed because of the lessons I learned.

5 Ways to Reinvigorate If You’re Stressed and Burned Out

Everyone seems to be feeling it. Exhaustion, grief, loss. Stress. Burnout.

No wonder we see the Great Resignation, rethink, recalibration. It’s our survival mechanism in the face of pandemic isolation and disruption, feeling helpless to stop global warming or Russian carnage in Ukraine, and anger at the ugly underbelly of racism and sexism unleashed by toxic leaders, to name a few of the causes of our current distress.

You are not alone.

But — here’s the tough love part — it’s never the stress that gets you down. It’s how you deal with it.

There’s no one right way, but as you’ve often heard, be sure to put on your oxygen mask first or you won’t be able to be there for others either. To help you deal effectively, be kind to yourself by taking time to do the things that help you. You can start by joining Take The Lead on April 23 for a free virtual event from 2-4 pm eastern, designed to give you two hours of pure recharge.

Take Time for You.

Doctor’s orders: register here now. Be sure to sign up even if you can’t be there at that time because we’ll send the link to everyone who signs up. Also there will be some mighty fine giveaways that you won’t want to miss the chance to win.

Tip 1: Breathe. You’ll learn some practical breath work techniques to still the mind and body and reduce anxiety from this interactive session by Dr. Marquita Jackson-Bradley.

Tip 2: Take time for your health. Heart disease is the leading killer of women but our symptoms are often either less obvious than men’s, or we ignore them because we are taking care of everyone else. The good news is that there are simple things we can do to prevent heart disease. You’ll learn about them from THE leading expert, Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum. Her passion for your health is infectious. I guarantee this conversation won’t be boring!

Tip 3: Move your body. Exercise is my personal secret weapon for staying high energy and being able to cope with even the highest stress situation. But too often we are put off by pressure (real or imagined) to have perfect bodies. That’s why I love Bethany C. Meyers’ “body neutral” approach, and the way she coaches you through her exercise routines with prompts to adapt to your body’s needs and abilities. I met Bethany when we both spent a day as models for our sponsor Alala. I signed up for her online exercise program then and it has been a lifesaver for me especially during the pandemic when I couldn’t get to the gym.

Tip 4. Be who you are. Don’t listen to the little man behind the curtain telling you that you aren’t supposed to be happy for whatever reason. And when you share your story with others, you learn that it is your power and your truth. Jeannette Ceja is an award-winning bilingual travel journalist. She’ll share her authentic Power to Change Story. Then I’ll jump in and show you how to use my Leadership Power Tool 9 to tell your story in a way that makes you a more effective communicator and leader. And every participant gets a copy of the Power To Change EBook with dozens of stories that will inspire you.

Tip 5: Forgive yourself if you make a misstep — so dance, laugh, have fun. Latin dance instructor Wilson “El Bailarin” (the dancer) Gutierrez will elevate your mood with Zumba. No one will see you so who cares if you muff a step? Unless of course, you invite some friends to join our FREE Take Time for You virtual event with you — which I highly recommend.

You will often hear Wilson shout ESOOO™️ (That’s It). So please do yourself a favor and register now for Take Time for You April 23. I can’t wait to see you there!

GLORIA FELDT is the Cofounder and President of Take The Lead, a motivational speaker and expert women’s leadership developer for companies that want to build gender balance, and a bestselling author of five books, most recently Intentioning: Sex, Power, Pandemics, and How Women Will Take The Lead for (Everyone’s) Good. Her signature 9 Leadership Power Tools to Advance Your Career online course is described as “life changing” and “jet fuel for my career” by participants. Former President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, she teaches “Women, Power, and Leadership” at Arizona State University and is a frequent media commentator. Learn more at www.gloriafeldt.com and www.taketheleadwomen.com. Tweet Gloria Feldt.