Show notes
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Welcome along to a new mini-series designed to help you steer your business through the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation.
In the first part of this series, Gavin talks to Tara Halliday, a specialist in helping high-performers cope with impostor syndrome, or the secret feeling that you are somehow a fraud, and the subsequent fear of being found out. It's a condition that affects many in business, especially as they begin to ascend to a higher level.
With many businesses now taking the opportunity to pivot or restructure in the wake of the COVID-19 conditions, there may come a sense that we are somehow unsuited to the new roles being taken. This can lead to two conditions known as “Fight-Or-Flight” and “Freeze”, both of which can amplify our sense of inferiority.
However, as Tara explains, there are always different ways of viewing our skill-sets, and matching them to new conditions. It all begins with adjusting our mind-set, and being brave enough to stake your claim in this new and ever-changing world.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Impostor Syndrome affects more than 70% of high-achievers at some point in their lives. Now that COVID-19 has changed the business landscape, it's expected to affect many more, as roles change and switch within organisations.
- During the “fight-or-flight” feelings we experience during Impostor Syndrome, our brain patterns alter. The pre-frontal cortex, the part of our brain responsible for decision-making, receives less energy. Princeton University, who conducted a study, found that IQ points could drop considerably during these times.
- In order to manage the “fight-or-flight” response so common to Impostor Syndrome sufferers, Tara first and foremost advocates reducing stress levels by literally shaking our hands, arms and limbs. This flushes out the stress hormone known as Cortisol.
- Deep-breathing, and specifically the “box breathing” technique, is also extremely useful for reducing stress, and lowering blood pressure in high-tension situations.
- “Freeze” affects the body in a different way. It can produce feelings of chill, brain fog, procrastination or partial paralysis. It can also induce a sense of hopelessness, and eventually depression.
- An effective way of combating the “freeze” response is to start with some breathing, before looking at the task ahead of us and breaking it down into its smaller elements. When this is done, take one element at a time, and work slowly through until complete.
- In terms of managing long-term anxiety, it's crucial to look for the ways in which connections still exist, and where your business can still operate. Try to focus on positives. By allowing ourselves to give in to the “fight-or-flight” feeling, we are reducing our mental capacity for dealing with growth and problem solving.
- You are still in control of your schedule. Focus on structuring your day in order to exert a further sense of control on your environment.
- With children now at home, and work to be done, it's vital that we give them the support and face-to-face time that they will need in order to get through this in their own way. The happier your home is, the more productive you'll all be.
- Social media can be a necessity, but it can also be a place of fear. It's vital to counter every supposition we find there, with fact. If you can do so, stick to official guidelines, not hearsay. The World Health Organisation is the best and most reliable source of any information.
- This is a time to focus on our own physical, emotional and mental health. Make sure you sleep well, keep hydrated, exercise regularly and keep a watchful eye on your diet.
BEST MOMENTS
‘If your IQ has reduced by 13 points, you're not going to make those good decisions'
‘It's like a siren going off in your head'
‘We're communicating to the nervous system that there is no threat here'
‘Give yourself permission to stop'
‘It's focusing on the here and now, and on the support that you do have, rather than letting your thought process snowball out of control'
'There's a safe space around the dinner table'
‘Resilience is a key word'
VALUABLE RESOURCES
The Business Mastermind Podcast
Complete Success - https://www.completesuccess.co.uk
Tara Halliday LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-halliday-phd/?originalSubdomain=uk
Tara Halliday Twitter - https://twitter.com/tarahalliday1?lang=en
Unmasking: The Coach's Guide To Impostor Syndrome - by Tara Halliday
Box Breathing (A Guide) - https://www.healthline.com/health/box-breathing
World Health Organisation - https://www.who.int
To contact Gavin about how he can help you and your business, email gavin@gavinpreston.com
ABOUT THE HOST
Gavin Preston
Gavin is an inspirational Speaker, Business Strategist, Business Growth Mentor, Trainer and high-performance Coach. He works with Business Owners and Entrepreneurs and has a strong track record in creating creative strategies to accelerate the growth of their business. He has helped hundreds of SME business owners and leaders improve their performance and that of their business and a comparable number of executives and employees in blue-chip corporates over the last 20 years.
Gavin's energetic, insightful and yet down to earth and practical talks, workshops and coaching is in demand with high growth business between £250,000 and £30 million revenue and with multi-national organisations at all levels from Board to frontline Managers. He is an expert in Business Growth Strategies, Peak Performance Mindset, Persuasion & Engagement, Marketing, Productivity, Leadership Development, Team Development & Motivation, Leading Change, Stakeholder Management, Personal Effectiveness and Behavioural Change.
CONTACT METHOD
Gavin Preston Website
Gavin Preston LinkedIn
Gavin Preston YouTube
Gavin Preston Facebook
Gavin Preston Twitter
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