Who’s Feeling Your Stress Today?
Have you ever felt your body tension accelerate the second you saw something—or someone—in your way?
That’s exactly how my day started when I walked out my front door and saw a massive truck parked at the end of our narrow, one-lane road, completely blocking my car.
My litany of knee-jerk thoughts:
Of course, today of all days.
I’m going to be late.
My client’s going to think I’m unprofessional.
These guys just standing there clearly don’t care!
My inner monologue was off to the races, complete with a full orchestra of tiny violins playing just for me, the soundtrack of my morning frustration.
And in concert, my body chimed in: hips tensed, back stiffened, and my breath became short and shallow. I could feel the tension ripple through me, ready to let this dictate the rest of my morning.
But here’s the thing: this moment wasn’t about the truck or the workers in their orange jackets. It wasn’t even about being late. It was about the choice I had in how to show up—for myself, for them, and for my the rest of my day.
The Tension Switch
I knew exactly what was happening. My physical reactions—tightening muscles, restricted breath—were my body’s response to the stories I was telling: “This is unfair. I’m stuck. This is going to ruin my morning.” (this cascade of story-telling is also known as a shit-rainbow lol).
This is where most of us live—carrying the stress of these tiny, everyday moments into the next hour, meeting, or interaction. We don’t even realize how much time and energy we spend fueling those stories and the toll it takes on our bodies, our relationships, and our leadership.
But here’s what I’ve learned (and what I practice every day): we don’t have to stay in those stories.
A Moment of Leadership
As I stood there, staring at the truck and the workers, I realized I had two choices. I could stay in my frustration, letting it ripple through me and everyone I encountered that day. Or, I could use this as an opportunity to practice what I teach: calm, presence, and agency.
So, I breathed. Deeply. Several times. And I asked myself: “What story am I telling right now? And, does it help?”
The story that was generating all that tension was a familiar one: “They’re in my way, they’re making me late, and they don’t care.” But as I breathed, I knew that wasn’t the only story available.
These workers, likely up before dawn on this freezing morning, were simply doing their job, unaware they were blocking my car. What if this wasn’t about me at all?
Eureka!
That story felt better in my body.
The Ripple Effect of Ease
With my new story, and body released of most of the tension, I walked outside.
Calm, breathing, and smiling. The workers looked up, a little wary—probably expecting me to yell or rush them to move. Instead, I said, “Good morning!” and pointed to my car, parked just beyond their truck. “I need to head out to work.”
Their shoulders relaxed. They teased me, “Work? You, too?” and joked about my small Fiat’s gas mileage. We chatted for a moment, and as they moved the truck, I let them know they could use my neighbor’s vacant driveway for easier parking.
What could have been a tense, unpleasant interaction turned into a moment of connection and ease—for me and for them.
Leadership in the Everyday
This moment didn’t change the world, but it changed my world that morning and those I interacted with.
Leadership isn’t just about boardrooms or big decisions. It’s about how we show up in the mundane, frustrating moments of life.
Every day, we spread emotions—stress, ease, frustration, or joy—into the spaces and people around us. It’s not a one-time choice; it happens in every interaction.
The question is: what ripple are you creating?
For me, it’s a practice. Every day, I choose to notice my body, my breath, and my stories. I choose so I can lead others with clarity and calm.
That morning, I spread ease. Even the most ordinary moments are an invitation to practice the kind of leadership that transforms not just our lives, but the lives of those around us.
Who do you know who dominates with tension, spreading it through their workplace or home? What would change if they could learn to pause, breathe, and choose a different story?
These are the skills I teach, the culmination of my life’s work, called the Wisdom Within Method, and they’re available for you!
Ready to Create Your Ripple?
Root to Rising: Awakening the Seeds of Transformation
A 3-Month Journey of Clarity, Direction, and Grounded Leadership
Starting Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | Noon-1 PM EST | Virtual Leadership Coaching
Leadership starts in the everyday moments—like choosing calm over tension and ease over reactivity. In Root to Rising: Awakening the Seeds of Transformation, you’ll master the tools to transform stress into clarity and embody grounded leadership in your life and work.
This 13-week journey offers practical, real-time skills that empower you to create ripples of impact in every interaction.
Join us starting January 21, 2025. Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today!
