Hey! Can we be real for a second?

Have you convinced yourself that it’s OK to live with stress?

I mean stress has started influencing your mood like the weather in daily interactions, your approach to tasks, and even client acquisition strategies.

And you feel like maybe it’s part and parcel of being an entrepreneur and living life.

For example:

• Something unexpected happens during the day, you snap and blame it on stress
• The client you were hoping to acquire cancels the call and you have a mini meltdown
• It’s a bad hair day and you’re convinced the stress god’s have conspired against you 

Look, I’m not denying that some form of stress is an inherent part of daily existence.

What’s NOT ok is being on autopilot about it. Normalizing it without questioning it.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from building my businesses and from my glorious corporate days is that when I normalized things without challenging them, they enter my BEING without a fight or struggle. It’s like I invite them in with open arms. I know, crazy right?

And suddenly, I would get affected by situations where:

• I wouldn’t think clearly
• Be fully productive
• Or handle my emotions intelligently. 

Basically, I would feel frazzled and out of control.

Where was my shield? Where was my protective armor? Why wasn’t I fighting for myself?

What I’ve learned is that stress can be one of your biggest fueling machines if you learn how to channel it.

It can amp your path forward if you know how to spin it on its head.

And it can be your ally if you stop the compounding effects dead in their tracks. 

I got out of the black hole and stepped into the light for good.  Thank you Stress for all the lessons.

Today, I welcome you with open arms and call your Energy.  Bring it!!

What about you? Are you going to let stress get the best of you or channel it to create positive momentum?