December 5, 2006

Crackle, Pop, and Snap   No, that’s not a misprint.  This isn’t about Kellogg’s Rice Krispies.  It’s about the winter wonderland we’ve had here in the Midwest the last few days.  Well, somewhat.  You see, the ice came first and settled onto the tree branches.  It was a beautiful sight.  Then came the weight of the snow, the pop and crackle of the ice and the branches, and then came the snap.  The top-heavy tree limbs came crashing down.      Have you ever snapped?  Under the pressure?    Or, do you thrive under pressure?  Does the snap get you moving?  “All pressure is self inflicted.  It’s what you make of it or how you let it rub off on you,” said Sebastian Coe.      Pressure makes you snap and tumble when you: are overcommitted allow peer pressure to influence your way of life must be in control of it all and you’re not must live up to other’s expectations of you fail at being perfect carry the weight of the world on your shoulders   This kind of pressure leaves you in a position of weakness.  It can physically break you, just as the tree limbs break. You become exhausted, run out of steam, and you lose your zest for life.   You come from a place of defeat as your spirit is broken.  There is little crackle and pop in your life, except for the sounds of your power lines crashing down.   For others, their crackle and pop comes from being under pressure.  Are you one of them?  Pressure allows you to: get things done NOW light a  fire under you avoid procrastination spark your creativity reach your goals   This kind of pressure allows the fireworks to go off in your life.   You come more from a position of strength and you welcome the challenges life has to offer.  You’re crackling with excitement of what’s to come and ready to pop and snap into action.   HOWEVER, there is always that balance of pressure.  How much is too much?  How much is too little?  Where is your snapping point?  Only you know how much pressure will keep you on the balance beam.           “The only pressure I’m under is the pressure I’ve put on myself.”             Mark Messier   “Are you worried about pressure?  I look at it this way: Pressure is having to do something you are not totally prepared to do.”             Harvey B. Mackay   “Pressure is a word that is misused in our vocabulary.  When you start thinking of pressure, it’s because you’ve started to think of failure.”             Tommy Lasorda   “In the game of life it’s a good idea to have a few early losses, which relieves you of the pressure of trying to maintain an undefeated season.”             Lee Trevino     Pressure is a motivator for me.  It sets off my fireworks.  Give me a deadline and I’ll get it done, otherwise I’ll procrastinate.  The upside pressure of being perfect always kept me learning and striving to achieve.  But there is a downside.  When I have too much going on or the load is too heavy, I will shut down physically and mentally.  There I’ll stay until the crackle and pop beckons once again.   You see I too must balance the pressure.   It’s been one week plus and counting without a kitchen and the pressure is…well, so far not too bad.  I’ve got a cozy mini kitchen in the family room, but the variety of meals is rather limited.  The cold weather is freezing the food in the garage refrigerator and that’s frustrating.  The dust, the trash, and the clutter are overwhelming.  But life is good.  Progress is being made.    Have a fantastic week and balance the crackle, pop, and snap.    Stephanie     P.S.  Are you feeling top-heavy with the weight of your pressure?  I can help.  Several coaching options are available.  Send me an email drszh@7steps2abalancedlife.com or call 618-639-5433.     We grow by "word-of-email" so please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone whom you think might benefit from and enjoy it. Thanks so much! Contact Us: stephanie@7steps2abalancedlife.com