How to thrive in competitive work environments.

I will never forget the day when I realised that working as a researcher in a university was essentially like being a solopreneur - you need to find your own research income to fund anything you want to do.

I had not signed up for this.

I was from a long line of salaried employees, thank you very much.

I did not want my job security resting on the outcome of hyper-competitive grant submissions.

I did not want to be in competition all. the. time.

But I was and, since I am still in part-time research, I still am in the competition.

I'm also a work/life coach in a world where there is 'one life coach born every minute'.

So you could say that I am straddling to hyper-competitive careers.

Except...

That's not how I roll (it was, which led me to spectacular burnout). 

Being in a state of constant competition means that you are probably running on adrenaline a lot.

Your stress levels are up because in some ways, you're always in fear of losing the race or not being one of the best. 

If you're in a competitive work environment and it is draining or stressing you this post will help you get your bounce back and thrive at a higher level. Here are three steps you can take today!

Step 1: Learn what you can about 'the competition' and then forget about them.

Yep, study them long enough to be inspired, to course correct, to see what you admire or can't stand.

Use it as fuel for growth.

Make your goals and map out the turtle steps... then forget about them. Constant comparison is a waste of time and creates warped thinking, fear and drains your focus and creativity. 

While you're at it, stay in your own business and DON'T waste your precious time getting into regular 'pissing contests' (as we call them in Australia!). 

Step 2: Don't mistake competition outcomes for your worth

No matter if the competition is landing you at the top of the heap, the middle or the bottom, it is CRITICAL that you don't equate the outcome with your true worth. You are not your job or your bonus, you are not that grant that you won or weren't awarded. 

When you don't mistake your worth for how you're competing you can keep an even head and heart. You don't live in fear all the time and can see outcomes for what they are, not a statement of your worth as a person. 

Step 3. Don't give up.

If you are where you feel like you are meant to be, don't give up when things don't go your way.  Draw on your bigger purpose, console yourself, take excellent care of yourself and then carry on. 

There is so much more to say about this! If you would like private support to help you thrive in a competitive work environment (or to transition out of one), I can help you feel 100% better at work and start the new year in fine form!

Pop your details in below and we can have a complementary hour session to get going!

Much love,
Lara xx

P.S. Did you see that I've made a free video series to help you make your next career move with confidence? Five Steps to Career Clarity will come straight to your email, complete with new tools and insights for you. Just sign up in the form below - you can also click below to see yours truly introducing the series!

Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, a researcher, life coach and expert in thriving at work. I support professionals to discover and live with conscious ambition through private coaching, group workshops and gorgeous retreats. 

I'd love to keep in touch - let's connect on my Facebook and Instagram pages.

Finding peace in your crazy work day.

It's no joke that work is getting more intense these days (there's research to prove it), so given what's happening in our workplaces, what can we do to protect our wellbeing, to find peace in our hectic work days?

This blog is about dispelling the major myth around feeling peaceful at work and giving you a range of ways to find peace in your day. I want you to be able to pick the ones that feel good to you and give them a whirl (extra points for picking what you resist but you know would work).

Let's do it!

 

The Number one work-wellbeing myth:

- That's okay for other people but MY situation is different. I can't feel peaceful at work for x, y and z reasons. 

e.g. 'My work is so stressful', 'My work is so high pressure', 'I'm the head of my organisation', 'I am the only one (sole business owners, academics)', 'I am doing the work of several people', 'I need to feel stressed to perform'...

If you have bought into this myth, you need to action these tips even more!

Because guess what... no matter what your job or circumstance, you can feel more peaceful at work. This choice (as well as the choices to stay in your work, to ask for more resources, to understand that stress doesn't equal peak performance) is critical not only to your work but to your HEALTH and the quality of your relationships and your life.

 

TIP #1 Watch your thoughts and course correct.

One of the best things you can do to feel more peaceful at work is to stop telling yourself - and believing - that you don't have enough time, that you can't cope, that you aren't good enough or that 'this is a disaster'.

These thoughts, when believed, will set off your stress hormones and put you into survival brain. If you want to be wired and think like a lizard, go ahead. If you'd rather have the use of the most critical parts of your brain and get your work done, problem solve and triumph, reign that shit in!

Soothing words like: "[Insert your name], everything will get done, take a minute of deep breaths, do the next task necessary, it's all good" will make a world of difference.

Think this is B.S? Try it for yourself!

My favourite is "Lara, there is plenty of time"  (BTW I just heard of research that says talking to yourself in the third person is more effective than saying "I").

TIP #2  Look after your precious self!

Don't roll your eyes or say "I know, I know" and then not act on this information. Everything in life is harder and more stressful when you are hungry, tired and haven't moved your body all day.

Eat something that sustains you, go to bed a smidgen earlier, walk or stand whenever possible (standing desks and walking meetings rock).

Look after yourself! Feel the benefits immediately.

More focus, more calm, more energy, more joy.

Tip #3   Set boundaries - physical, psychological and energetic

We know that boundaries are best when they are fluid and flexible, so you can let in what serves you and keep out what harms or depletes you.

So, three boundary types that will increase your peace a lot are:

Physical boundaries: 

Give yourself permission to end conversations, move away from people, get out of the office for a walk or step wayyy back from the space invader.

Psychological boundaries:

My favourite question - I think it's Byron Katie that asks "Whose business is it?" More importantly, is this YOUR business?

Set clear boundaries around what is your business and what is not your business.

Keep in your own head. You do not know what others are thinking. It is irrelevant at this point to imagine. Ask if need be but don't believe you're telepathic!

Energetic boundaries:

We all know that feeling of someone coming into work radiating gross energy. For people that are sensitive to it (like moi) it can be really distracting, off-putting and feel like it clings to you or the air. 

I like to invoke a simple meditation where I ask my idea of a higher energy, grounded in love and peace (I use the word God) to go before me, beside me, above me, below me and for there to be nothing but God through me. I imagine a kind of force field or boundary that extends in every direction and a sieve running through me to take out any gross energy, leaving only beautiful, pure energy within me. 

My friend Jessie taught me this and it has served me in even the most difficult of circumstances.

The other exercise I love that is really effective is to imagine all the gross energy being transformed into love, light and peaceful energy. I believe this actually does change the energy. It certainly changes it for me.

 

TIP #4 Breathe and Meditate

You knew this was coming! Take one to a million minutes and deep breathe. It will change your life.

Finding peace in the busyness of life is absolutely essential and you can do it. Which tip are you going to try out?

Schedule it into your day and work it!

Much love,
Lara xx

P.S. Did you see that I've made a free video series to help you make your next career move with confidence? Five Steps to Career Clarity will come straight to your email, complete with new tools and insights for you. Just sign up in the form below - you can also click below to see yours truly introducing the series!

Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, a researcher, life coach and expert in thriving at work. I support professionals to discover and live with conscious ambition through private coaching, group workshops and gorgeous retreats. 

I'd love to keep in touch - let's connect on my Facebook and Instagram pages.

Is body confidence holding you back at work?

It's #loveyourbody week and I have a special treat for you!

Over and over again, I'm hearing the harsh thoughts that clients - women AND men have about their bodies. The time they spend criticising and shaming themselves, trying different diets and regimes, not going for bigger opportunities at work because they don't want to be seen.

Body dissatisfaction is using our precious time and energy.

Time and energy you could use to make your life more fulfilling, to make your mark at work and change the world around you - time you could be using for conscious ambition to flourish!

Love your body week is about calling BS on the idea that we need to be anything but our gorgeous selves. That every body, with our different shapes, skin tones, abilities and limitations is precious, wonderous and worthy of deep care, reverance and love. 

So what is the special treat?! 

I caught up with Claire Middleton OAM - founder of the Butterfly Foundation - earlier this week to talk all about body satisfaction, eating disorders and how to learn to love what lies beneath as well as our bodies. 

It's such a thought-provoking and liberating interview. It's made me think so much more about deeply accepting my body. It's helped me to work on weeding out those last bits of body dissatisfaction that I was holding on to (and to choose fervently to love my soft, round tummy). 

I hope you love it and it ramps up your body confidence and body love.

Here's the interview!

Please note: We do talk about eating disorders in this interview, so if that is a subject that may cause you distress, it might be best to skip this interview. For more information, resources and services related to eating disorders and body confidence - go to www.butterflyfoundation.com.au

To contact Claire - please email her claire@apieceofnourishment.com

Listen to the interview in SoundCloud or click below. 

Tips for boosting body love & confidence

1. Work from the inside out.

Think about all that your body does for you - it's not just something to be looked at - it is an incredible feat of biology!

What does your body allow you to do? Breathe, love, kiss, smell, see mountains, hear your favourite band, hug your friend, feel pain and pleasure, move through the world... laugh!

Actively appreciate your body and what it does. It will help you shift your perspective and increase your body love. 

2. Throw away comparisons.

Stop comparing yourself to anyone on the street you deem 'better' in some way than you. You are you. They are themselves and mark my words, everyone has their own cross to bear.

What if we caught ourselves and decided to bless those we were comparing ourselves to and ourselves?

What if we decided we were good enough already, as we are? Fabulous even?

3. Talk back.

When that inner critic is on the rampage about your looks, stand up for yourself the way you would your dearest friend. 

Don't let that scared part of you take you down.

We are here to live big, beautiful lives in our beautiful bodies. 

We deserve it. All of us.

Here's to loving our bodies!

Much love,
Lara xx

P.S. Did you see that I've made a free video series to help you make your next career move with confidence? Five Steps to Career Clarity will come straight to your email, complete with new tools and insights for you. Just sign up in the form below - you can also click below to see yours truly introducing the series!

Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, a researcher, life coach and expert in thriving at work. I support professionals to discover and live with conscious ambition through private coaching, group workshops and gorgeous retreats. 

I'd love to keep in touch - let's connect on my Facebook and Instagram pages.

You landed your dream job, now what?

Checking in with a great friend the other day, I heard a familiar tale. She'd just landed her dream job, a role she'd been working towards for at least a year.

Success was sweet! Joy filled the air!

Until it didn't.

Strange but true, dream jobs can really press our buttons. 

She was anxious and unfocused.

What the hell was going on? Isn't this meant to be amazing?

Why aren't I content now I've got the job?

I wont pretend there is one reason for this. There are a million reasons why it may be the case. 

Let's go through a few 'whys' and their solutions.

• Your inner mind garbage is piling up: Thoughts like 'This wont work out', 'I'll stuff up somehow', 'when is the other shoe going to drop?' and 'Pretty soon they will realise I don't know what I'm doing'. You end up anxious and paralysed.
  • Solution: Monitor your inner garbage and call for garbage collection when it's piling up. Firmly and with love, thank your mind for it's precautions and reassure it that you have got this covered, you are worthy and you can manage whatever comes your way. 
• You need to update your goals: It can be strange to get what you've been working towards. Anti-climactic even. I think it's partially because of the loss of the goal. A solid goal is a wonderful thing to work on. 
  • Solution: Brainstorm some new goals, whether work related or not. Go big! Choose something that feels amazing in your body. Celebrate, really celebrate what you've achieved and then embark on your next journey.
• Oh oh, you don't actually want it! This is a real kicker, but sometimes we need to get the dream job to really get that we don't want it. Not a fun thing to realise, but damn useful.
  • Solution: Make your job as good as you can (amp up any aspects you love, delegate what you don't, dump what you can and love yourself sick!) while you dream and scheme for a job that you will be excited about.
• You are too exhausted to enjoy it. You worked so hard to get it that other parts of your life went off the boil. You have been eating crap, mostly sedentary and haven't experienced much joy in a while.
  • Solution: Move that booty (even if you are tired), eat like you love yourself (for fuel and pleasure), SLEEP and sprinkle fun through your day. Adults need to play as much as children. 

Making good career decisions is one of my obsessions so I've made a free video series for you all, to help solve this problem. It's called Five Steps to Career Clarity and it will come to your email, complete with new tools and insights for you. Just sign up below, after the intro (you can click on it to see yours truly introducing it)!

Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, a researcher, life coach and expert in thriving at work. I support professionals to discover and live with conscious ambition through private coaching, group workshops and gorgeous retreats. 

I'd love to keep in touch - let's connect on my Facebook and Instagram pages.

Sometimes, it's all about the in-betweener.

The other week I was walking with a new friend when she told me about her work situation. 

She is burnt out.

Keen for a change.

Unsure about what to do next and actively looking for new roles. 

Enter exciting news: She was offered a new job!

Same money, less work and stress... but instead of being relieved and excited for the new position, her mind was spinning and she felt uneasy. 

The job didn't measure up against perfect. It wasn't 'perfect', it's true.

This might seem a funny thing to say, given that I'm all about thriving at work and about LOVING your work, however, this particular instance is one where I think it's totally fine to go for the better job, not the perfect job.

She wasn't ready for perfect. 

When you are exhausted, your work has been toxic and you don't know what you want anymore the answer is often "Just get out of there!".

Give yourself time to recover, to remember who you are, to destress. 

The new job still felt like a huge relief, a bit exciting and an interesting change. It still felt good in her body, it was her head that was racing.

The in-betweener is a godsend when you need to recover and regroup.

Get the time and security to explore new options, to daydream and plan.

It can be hard to see the wood from the trees when you're making career decisions. That's why I made a free video series for you all, to help solve this problem. It's called Five Steps to Career Clarity and it will come to your email, complete with new tools and insights for you. Just sign up below, after the intro!

Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, a researcher and expert coach in thriving at work. I support professionals to discover and live with conscious ambition through private coaching, group workshops and gorgeous retreats. 

I'd love to keep in touch - let's connect on my Facebook and Instagram pages.

Great work friends aren't enough.

It's International Friendship Day and this needs to be said. 

Great work friends aren't enough.

Staying with awesome colleagues is not a good enough reason to stay in a role you hate or a company you can't stand.

YES, great friends make doing a mediocre job better, but they are a bandaid solution - what you really need is to find a better role that fits you brilliantly.

You deserve a job or business you love AND great people around you, not either or. 

So why don't people go after both?

Apart from just loving their current colleagues, the major reason that comes up is that some people don't believe that the perfect combo exists - it seems impossible to have a great role AND great workmates. 

They are stuck due to fear that they will leave their current job and ending up in another mediocre job but with sub-par colleagues - 'better the devil you know' syndrome.

Interestingly, the more you work to find someone that really suits you, the more likely you are to find people that really suit you. After all, they've been attracted to that team and workplace too!

Guilt is The other major reason for not moving on.

The worse the job or toxic work situation, the harder it can be to leave. The thought of leaving behind your favourite people is pretty awful.

I've often had clients that only started looking for a new job when their favourite work friend left. Before that, they didn't think they could (please note that their friend did leave, which gave them permission to get the hell out - win, win). 

Personally, I've never had a job that I haven't made at least one great friend from but my actual roles have varied a lot in terms of how happy they made me. 

No matter how much I've loved my colleagues (one place was such a love fest I got three farewells and cried buckets), I've always found new pals and the more suited the role, the more work soulmates I've found.

I tell myself this every time I've realised it is time to go on my next work adventure.

So think about it, is it worth doing awful (ly boring, unfulfilling) work, just because of your awesome colleagues?!

You deserve to thrive at work in every way!

Repeat after me...Work can be energising, challenging, fulfilling and feel good - with great colleagues.

xx Lara

Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, a researcher and expert coach in thriving at work. I support professionals to discover and live with conscious ambition through private coaching, group workshops and gorgeous retreats. 

I'd love to keep in touch - let's connect on my Facebook and Instagram pages.

 

Making life more fulfilling is easier than you think.

Every week someone shares with me me that they want a more fulfilling life.

It's something we all want - a life that is more that just okay, one that fills us up with joy, meaning and purpose. 

'How can my life be more fulfilling?' can be an overwhelming and paralysing thought - it feels so big and nebulous - but there is always one surefire way (among many) to create more fulfilment.

An inspiring way to find greater fulfilment is to contribute to making a better world.

It's my belief, that when we look underneath our desires, they commonly come back to being of service to others and improving the world around us - whether that is through art, play, work, social connection, giving money or time,  supporting sustainable energy or any vast number of avenues. 

One of the most profound exercises we did on my Melbourne Weekend Retreat, was to help attendees work out where to put their energies to make their lives more fulfilling - making their mark and changing the world, Conscious Ambition style!

When you have a big heart, it can be so hard to know where to place your time, energy and money to make the world better - there are almost limitless ways to contribute, which can leave us doing not much at all or not enough to be satisfying.

During the retreat, it was extraordinarily moving to hear participants talk about what they wanted to do, after they worked out how to uncover it. 

There was such power to their realisations and such connection to their souls - a recipe for great fulfilment. 

My question to you is this: Do you know how you want to make the world better?

Yes? Then seize the day - don't wait to feel ready or qualified - make your mark in any way you can, no matter how small. It ALL matters. 

Not sure? Are there too many options and too many thoughts holding you back (I don't have enough time, I can't make enough of a difference and so on?).

I've been coaching myself into making more of a difference in the world too.

I often felt paralysed into inaction and ended up mostly donating to whoever asked me at the time, which was useful but unsatisfying. 

Once I worked out how to pick my causes (which aren't set in stone), I could then choose to contribute in a way that felt light, fun and worthwhile.

It turns out that what's calling me right now is to help women who've had awful injuries from childbirth to live normal lives again, instead of being social outcasts just because of their poverty and lack of health care services. 

I'm raising money for Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (Australia) to do these life changing surgeries and I want to do this whilst having fun AND supporting you all to make your mark and make a difference with Conscious Ambition. 

My first Set Me Free Fun-draiser!

That's why I'm hosting a fabulous afternoon tea for Hamlin Fistula in Brunswick, Melbourne at Rogue District on Sunday the 6th August (2.30-4.30pm). We are going to eat, drink and be merry, and I am going to coach you all on how to work out where to focus your energies in making the world a better place = having a more fulfilling life!

Buying a ticket means you will also be in the draw to win a Dee Street course - the BEST dance classes around Melbourne with a fusion of African, hip hop and other fabulous grooves. 

You can buy your tickets by donating $50 or more on my Everyday Hero page and writing 'Ticket' in the comment box or through the Try Booking link (but that will get a surcharge). 

Meet great people, enjoy great food and coffee and get ready to make your mark on this crazy fabulous world we are in!

Huge love,
Lara xxx

Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, a life coach, researcher and specialist in wellbeing at work. I support professionals to discover and live with conscious ambition through private coaching, group workshops and gorgeous retreats. 

I'd love to keep in touch - let's connect on my Facebook and Instagram pages.

Work should add to your life, not drain it.

There's someone I know who was unhappy at work for a looong time. His catchphrase was "I don't live to work, I work to live", as if this meant that he didn't have to like his job because it wasn't his life.

But it was at least 40 hours of his best quality waking hours every week.

Work wasn't his whole life, but like it or not, it was a huge part of it.

The research is clear about the effect of work in our lives. 

It makes life better if the work is 'good quality' that is, that we are respected, the work feels meaningful, we get paid what we deserve and have supportive colleagues.

On the flip side, when work is poor quality, it is WORSE than being unemployed for your mental health.

Take that in for a minute.

It is worse to be in a crappy job and having the money and other resources that you get from work than being unemployed. 

There is an in-between, a sweet spot, where you have a full life and work that is enjoyable and meaningful. I don't know that this has always been the case, but for most of us it certainly is now.

If you're not enjoying your work, ask yourself why. 

Be honest.

Are you hiding behind excuses instead of finding work that would add to your life? Instead of transforming your role into something more fulfilling and fun? Instead of going for that promotion or uplevelling your business?

Imagine how good it would feel to do work that was meaningful AND enjoyable, fun even!?

You can have it all and you are certainly worth going for it.

Big love,
Lara xx

To make your first step to a work-life you love, go here xx

Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, a life coach, researcher and specialist in wellbeing at work. I support professionals to discover and live with conscious ambition through private coaching, group workshops and gorgeous retreats. 

I'd love to keep in touch - let's connect on my Facebook and Instagram pages.

Is your workplace welcoming?

This week I started working at a new university - I moved my Fellowship to Swinburne University in Melbourne (no more commuting to Canberra!). It's got me thinking a lot about what makes a place and space feel welcoming. 

Time for connecting with each other

The first things I noticed were that people were happy and didn't seem so rushed that they couldn't say hello and have a proper chat - lovely! That tells me that either people aren't so overloaded and stressed that they can talk OR that the work culture is such that it is highly valued to connect with other people. 

{Incidentally, I've already learnt so much about new areas as diverse as media 'wave' ownership and how the unaffordable housing market is shaping our relationships (you end up not being friends with people priced out of your area) and a much bigger issue than energy prices (it's that we are spending so much on rent and mortgages, not that energy prices are too high)!}

I was then invited to a regular morning tea on Fridays. People take turns to put together a lovely spread and then everyone comes and talks to each other. This probably shouldn't seem novel, but it is. People actually sat down and talked. 

In two days I properly met about six- ten people. As in, I could say what they do and we got a chance to really exchange and connect. So good.

I was given a welcome lunch! How lovely is that! Again, something that could so easily be overlooked but was arranged and made an impact on me. 

Ooh I was also walked around campus and shown all the things I needed, including particularly important insights around best places to eat and the sweetest baristas.

Welcoming spaces

When walking around the offices, I was struck by how welcoming the workspaces were. I put it down to two main reasons: freedom to decorate and inclusive decorating!

Firstly, there are no restrictions (within reason) on decorating your work area or office. There was everything from awesome feminist posters, funny cartoons, photos and beautiful pieces of art. 

It's symbolically important to encourage people to own and decorate spaces. It allows them to bring themselves to work - sure, you're professional, but you can also have passions, family and friends and a wicked sense of humour. I've heard of workplaces where you aren't allowed anything on the walls, even your name. This is more and more common with hot-desking and mobile seating arrangements. 

Now, you may wonder what I mean by inclusive decorating. I've just made that term up (I think). I LOVED seeing all the rainbow flags around. They were liberally spread around the place and it felt so good. It felt great to see these symbols of LGBT+ love. Because when we love and include everyone, we are all loved and included. 

My own welcome pack

It's not all about what others do and the spaces you come into. I like to make my own little welcome pack. I put in it things like my own beautiful mug and a selection of things that make life better in an office. See my photo below!

My hot tip is lemon infused olive oil for salads and just about any re-heats for lunch... oh and wipes for cleaning the desk. They always need a re-clean!

What could you do to welcome new staff or make your work environment more welcoming?

Go and do it! 

Huge love, 
Lara xx

Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, a life coach and specialist in wellbeing at work. I support professionals to discover and live with conscious ambition through private coaching, group workshops and gorgeous retreats. 

I'd love to keep in touch - let's connect on my Facebook and Instagram pages.

Stop thinking about work and reclaim your nights!

The other day a client remarked that they left work depressed every weekday and thought about work more than they cared to admit. 

We've all had jobs that leave us ranting and raving well into our non-work time or ruminating over difficult conversations, mistakes or what might have been. 

Even jobs and businesses we love can take over our time off!

Some people argue that it's okay to think about work all the time if you love it, but I believe that no matter the quality of your working life, you need to switch off and live a life outside of work. 

Happily, I'm supported by a range of research on that!

So how do we go about kicking work out of our heads and making the most of our time off?

First things first...

1. Get conscious

- Decide to evict work from your mind -

How angry are you when you realise you're only getting paid $10 an hour because you are WORKING ALL THE TIME. Yep, work is happening in your head long after you clock off. 

Half the battle to having real time off is deciding that work is not going to take over your evenings and weekends, hell, even your mornings (I'm looking at you morning wake up emailer) any more.

It's bad for your health, your relationships and your productivity. Soak that in for a minute. 

- Make boundaries -

Some people don't have enough support at work and really need to workshop what has happened or will happen at work of an evening. If this is you, set a timer with a loud alarm and don't go over it. 

Give yourself 5, 10 or 15 minutes to get things off your chest or workshop an issue. When the alarm goes off, it's all over.

Trust me, your partner or housemate will be thrilled!

If you want to nut out a problem, write it down and at least that way your brain wont be trying to remember to remind you all night. Tell yourself firmly that you will work out the problem faster with a fresh brain (and on the clock). 

 

2. Transition properly between work and home

• What do you do before you leave work?

One of the best ways to leave work at work is to write a list of what to do when you come in the next day or week.

It helps your mind know that everything is taken care of so that it can relax.

• What do you do on your way home from work?

It's time to get conscious about transitioning between work and home. 

Social workers and other professionals with intense client interactions have processes for transitioning for a reason: It protects mental and physical wellbeing.

Some transitions that work well are:

- Listening to a funny podcast or radio station.

- Changing clothes.

- Having a shower and imagining the day washing away.

- Imagining dropping clients at a tram or bus stop on your way home.

- Imagining putting work in a box that you will open again tomorrow. 

- For those with a lot of tension: Stretching, sprinting on the spot and yes, screaming in the car (not at anyone). 

Try putting reminders to yourself so that you can leave work at work. 

3. Create time off that you are excited about!

We get so tired sometimes that we forget life is meant to be joyful. I'm not talking about being happy all the time. I'm talking about simple pleasures, laughter, good friends and things that make your insides exhale and feel free.

So what would feel exciting tonight?

What would feel like freedom?

What would feel like love?

What would make you proud to have done (love this one from Susan Hyatt)?

Remember: The more you do things you love instead of living on autopilot, the more energy you will have (within reason!).

It will take more effort than the couch, but the rewards will be huge.

You can do it!

Big love,
Lara xx

Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, a life coach and specialist in wellbeing at work. I support professionals to discover and live with conscious ambition through private coaching, group workshops and gorgeous retreats. 

I'd love to keep in touch - let's connect on my Facebook and Instagram pages.